Effect of Health Extension Service on Under-Five Child Mortality and Determinants of Under-Five Child Mortality in Derra District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract Under five-child mortality is the highest in Ethiopia even though it decreased steadily in last two decades. Hence, this study aimed to identify the risk factors and effects of Health Extension Service on under-five child mortality in Derra district, Ethiopia. The study used a random sample of 446 mothers from the district and analyzed. One-fourth (23.5%) of mothers experienced at least one under-five child mortality in the last thirteen years and the propensity score analysis also indicated that utilizing and being model in HEP reduced under five child mortality by 29.84% and 15.71%, respectively. The Poisson regression model identified that Kebeles, being model in HEP, mother educational level, mother age at first birth, source of drinking water and Place of child delivery were significant risk factors of under-five child mortality per mother. Hence, the health sectors and district health offices have to work on a health extension program to increase the community awareness of basic preventive and promotive health service, and minimize risk factors of under-five child mortality.