Child and Maternal Mortality
in Islamic Countries
116
Figure 3.64 shows the causes of under-five mortality in Iraq in 2017. More than half (58%) of
under-five deaths in Iraq occurred in the neonatal period. The top three leading under-five
causes are preterm birth complications (27.01%), pneumonia (19.1%), and intrapartum related
events (17.74%).
Figure 3.64. Causes of under-five deaths, Iraq, 2017
Data source: Maternal and Child Epidemiology Estimation and Global health Observatory, available at
3.4.2. Progress in MNCH Care Indicators in Iraq
MNCH indicators have improved substantially in Iraq. The overall antenatal care visit has
increased from 78% in 2000 to 88% in 2018, and the rate of at least four antenatal care visits
has increased from 40% to 68%. During the same period, the delivery rate with a skilled birth
attend has increased from 72% to 92% and delivery at health facility has increased from 45%
to 87%.
Similar progress was observed for the child health care indicators. The overall vaccination
coverage rate is about 97% (BCG 95%; Polio 88% at birth and 77% for 3-doses) in 2018.
Pneumonia; 4,30
Preterm birth
complications;
24,15
Intrapartum-
related events;
16,89
Sepsis or
menigitis; 9,41
Other; 3,00
Injury; 1,58
Congenital; 12,39
Tetanus;…
Diarrhoea; 0,34
Diarrhoea; 6,30
Measles; 0,28
Injury; 7,65 Malaria;…
AIDS; 0,00
Meningitis;…
Preterm birth
complications;…
Intrapartum-
related events;
0,85
Congenital; 5,45
Other; 14,85
Pneumonia;
14,80
Deaths among children
aged 1-59 months (42%)
Neonatal deaths