Factors affecting infant deaths and evaluation of the quality of life in mothers of dead and alive babies

ABSTRACT Aslıhan Külekçi Uğur, Factors Affecting Infant Deaths and Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Mothers of Dead and Alive Babies. Bülent Ecevit University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, PhD Thesis, Zonguldak, 2017. In this case control study, it is aimed to evaluate the relationship between the quality of life, pregnancy, infant follow-up and infant mortality of the mothers between 2010-2011 in Zonguldak. WHOQOL quality of life scale and sociodemographic characteristics developed by the researchers and data collection forms which included information on mother and baby follow up were used. The data were evaluated with SPSS package program and nonparametric tests were used in the comparison. The surviving infants were found to have a significant difference than dead infants regarding being at 38th and above gestation weeks during birth, borning with birth weight over 2500 g, borning with cesarean section, and borning in state hospital. Mothers with risk factors for pregnancy have a higher infant mortality rate. The father being under 24 years of age and father unemployment has also been found to be factors that increase infant mortality. The quality of life score does not affect the likelihood of the baby survival while the working mothers, being at least primary school graduate, having pregnancy follow-up in the primary health care, and having USG performed are the factors increase the survival of the baby. As a result; no relationship was found between quality of life and infant mortality. Among living and dying babies; that the monthly income of the families is high and that the educational status of the mother is above the primary school, the quality of life scores are increased, the number of infant follow-ups, the number of pregnancy follow-ups, USG that the mother made during pregnancy, and maternal urinary tract infections during pregnancy were found to be factors affecting infant mortality. Key words: Baby, Infant deaths, Death, Affecting factors, Quality of life.