Objective: To understand the trends and influential factors on infant mortality in Henan province from 2000 to 2010.
Methods: Descriptive method, Cox-Stuart trend test and multiple linear regression were used to study the infant mortality trends and related influential factors in the regions with monitoring programs of Henan province, from 2000 to 2010.
Results: The total urban and rural infant mortality rates dropped significantly, from 30.91 per thousand, 10.05 per thousand, 33.99 per thousand in 2000 to 7.12 per thousand, 5.51 per thousand, 8.03 per thousand in 2010, respectively. The average annual rates of decrease were 13.65 percent, 5.83 percent and 13.44 percent. The downward trends were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The infant mortality rates dropped more significantly in rural areas (25.96%) than in the urban areas (4.54%). Difference between urban and rural areas reduced from 23.49% to 2.52%. Rates on factors as setting up maternal record cards, carrying on postpartum visits, hospital delivery, or under help by new midwives and low birth weight rate etc. were remarkably influencing the rate on infant mortality (F = 229.738, P = 0.004). In order, the impact of strengths on those factors showed as: hospitalized delivery rate, low birth weight rate, the rate of 'clean' delivery, setting up record cards on postpartum visits.
Conclusion: Total provincial, urban and rural infant mortality rates all showed downward trends. The infant mortality rates dropped more significantly in rural areas than in urban areas. Difference between urban and rural areas was gradually getting small. Rates on setting up maternal record cards, carrying on postpartum visit, hospital delivery and under help by new midwives rate were important factors that significantly impacting the infant mortality rate. Work on setting up record cards and hospital delivery should be further strengthened.