Volume 62, Issue 342, September - December 2026

Determinants of under-five mortality in Senegal: a longitudinal analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data from 2005 to 2023

Oumy Ndiaye^♦

Health Economist, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar; Laboratory for the Analysis of Economic and Social Policies, Dakar, Senegal

^♦Corresponding author
Oumy Ndiaye, Health Economist, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar; Laboratory for the Analysis of Economic and Social Policies, Dakar, Senegal, Postal address: B.P. 5005, Dakar-Fann, Sénégal

ABSTRACT

Child mortality before the age of five is still a public health concern in Senegal. This study examines the factors associated with under-five mortality using data from the 2023 Continuous Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-C), which initially covered approximately 39,490 individuals and 1,300 variables. The analysis began with a description of the data, followed by chi-square tests to explore the relationships between child mortality and selected characteristics. A multivariate logistic regression model was then fitted to assess which factors remained associated with under-five mortality after accounting for the other variables included in the model. The results show that several demographic, reproductive, and socioeconomic characteristics are significantly associated with mortality. Birth spacing is a particularly important factor: an interval of 24-35 months is associated with a 41.8% reduction in the odds of death, while an interval of at least 36 months is associated with a 59.2% reduction. Girls also have 17.9% lower odds of dying than boys. Moreover, children from middle- and high-wealth households have 17.0% and 40.9% lower odds of dying, respectively, than those from poor households. Maternal education also plays an important role, with a 39.5% reduction in the odds of death when the mother has reached the secondary level. This article thus highlights the major role of reproductive and socioeconomic factors in child survival. It underscores the importance of birth spacing, maternal education, and improved household living conditions in reducing under-five mortality in Senegal.

Keywords: Mortality, Infant-juvenile, Senegal, Logit

Discovery, 2026, 62, e35d3337

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Published: 09 November 2026