Modeling birth registration in the Savannah Region of Ghana

Abstract

Accurate birth registration plays a vital role in national development planning and organizational decision-making. The Births and Deaths Registry is a key provider of demographic information, offering insights into the composition, magnitude, growth, and spatial distribution of a country's population across different administrative divisions. Inaccurate birth records can lead to misallocation of resources, such as immunization supplies, educational funding, and child protection initiatives. This research examines the factors influencing birth registration in the Savannah Region of Ghana, based on secondary data obtained from the regional Births and Deaths office for the years 2020 and 2021. The analysis was conducted using a Linear Mixed Effects model. The results indicate that parental education levels, employment status, the identity of the informant, and the location of residence significantly impact birth registration outcomes. The findings highlight an urgent need to improve public awareness, especially within rural areas and communities with low literacy levels, in order to increase birth registration rates.