Does Place of Delivery Affect Neonatal Mortality

The fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) calls for a reduction in newborn mortality but newborn mortality is one of the world¿s most neglected health problems. While there has been significant progress in reducing deaths among children under age five over the past decade, the proportion of under five mortality that occur in the neonatal period, an estimated 38% in 2000, is increasing. Therefore the Millennium Development Goal for child survival cannot be met without substantial reductions in neonatal mortality. It is therefore extremely important to make available the much needed epidemiological information regarding the time, place and causes of neonatal deaths which will enable greater attention to policies aimed at reducing levels of mortality and programme planning.