AUTHOR=Bassinga Hervé 

TITLE=Neonatal Mortality in Burkina Faso: An Exploratory Analysis of Determinants and Geospatial Inequalities

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 70 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2025.1608901

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2025.1608901

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=ObjectivesThis article analyzes the factors associated with neonatal mortality in Burkina Faso, as well as the communal inequalities in this mortality.MethodsThe analysis is based on data from the 2021 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). It draws on a representative sample of 7,225 children. The determinants of mortality were examined using a log-binomial regression model. For the analysis of geospatial inequalities, the Richardson method was applied to classify communes according to their probability of achieving SDG target 3.2.2 by 2030, distinguishing areas with low, medium, and high likelihoods of attainment.ResultsThe analysis reveals an excess risk of neonatal mortality linked to male sex, multiple births, short birth intervals, low maternal education, and limited access to health services. According to the Richardson classification, all communes are on track to meet SDG target 3.2.2 (12‰ by 2030). However, 37 communes show higher residual risks requiring close monitoring.ConclusionThese results underline the importance of implementing multi-sectoral interventions adapted to territorial specificities in order to effectively maintain the reduction of neonatal mortality in Burkina Faso.