Investigation of change in infant mortality rates between 2009-2019 in Turkey

Aim: The aim of this study is examine the infant mortality rate by gender, region and province in Turkey between 2009-2019. Methods: Population and demographic data in the statistical data portal of TÜİK have been used for the specified 10-year period. Infant mortality rates were calculated by using the number of births by province and gender which are among the births statistics from population and demographic data and the number of deaths by province and gender which among the deadth statistics. Region information was obtained by using province information and death rates were calculated on the basis of region. Results: While the infant mortality rate in Turkey was %13,9 in 2009, it decreased and became %9,1 in 2019. While the infant mortality rate in women was %8,3 in 2009, it was %9,8 in men. Güneydoğu Anadolu Region has the highest infant mortality rate in 2019 with %12,88. The lowest rate was %7,17 in the Karadeniz Region. Karadeniz Region was the region with the highest decrease in infant mortality rate in the 10-year period examined. Gaziantep was the province with the highest infant mortality rate with %16,2 infant mortality rate in 2019. Conclusions: In the 10-year period examined, a significant decrease was observed in the infant mortality rate in Turkey. The improvement of maternal and child health services in Turkey, the increase in the level of education of parents, the quality and accessibility of health services have a positive effect on the infant mortality rate. Keywords: Infant mortality rate, number of infants deaths, factors affecting infant mortality rate