Infant mortality in Russian Federation and influence on its dynamic factors

Minimizing infant mortality (IM) is the primary national objective of the Russian Federation. Aim: This study aimed to analyze IM indicators in the Russian Federation and identify factors that influence the dynamics of IM. The level of leading regional indicators of socioeconomic development and provision by doctors and hospital beds in the Russian Federation was studied and compared with the similar factors in foreign countries. Materials: Official and operative reports of Rosstat for 2011-2016 were assessed. Results. The coefficient of IM was 6.0 per 1000 live births in the Russian Federation, and varied from 4.8-9.2 in federal districts. The indicator increased in 2012 in connection with the transition to a new system of newborn registration. The indicator witnessed a permanent decline in 2016 and revealed a negative correlation between the regional bulk products and the coefficient of IM and a positive correlation with the overall IM. However, the relationship among the indicators of IM and the size of the region, the number of highways, the number of patients per one hospital bed or assigned to one doctor could not be established. Conclusion. In the Russian Federation, IM is higher than that indeveloped countries; has permanent tendency to decline; correlates with regional bulk products; does not depend on transport availability, provision with doctors, and hospital beds; and is determined by the organization and the quality of medical care.