The under-five mortality rate remains unacceptably high with 6.3 million children dying before their fifth birthday in 2013. Research has, however, revealed that nurses are the means to reducing these untimely deaths. The aim of this research is to examine and identify the role nurses play in preventing and reducing infant and under-five mortality. The purpose of the study was to provide research based information of the position of nurses in consideration to childhood deaths.
Data for the research were obtained from PubMed and ScienceDirect search engines as well as manual data search. The accepted studies were published between the years 2000 and 2015. In total nine studies were analyzed. Inductive content analysis was the chosen method of data analysis.
The results of the study indicate there are challenge nurses face while trying to reduce and or prevent these early deaths. Nurses are challenged with inadequate medical care facilities, high maternal mortality rate as well as lack of training. Other challenges were also noted. The results also shows the role nurses are currently taking as well as some other roles nurses are suggested to play in order to lessen under-five mortality.
The findings of this study can be used by health care professionals especially nurses in developing countries. Research on the solutions needed to overcome the challenges faced as well as a study that focuses entirely on the nurses' position is needed.
