An Analytical Framework for the Determinants of Infant Mortality based on 2005 � 06 NFHS Data in India

Anu Sirohi,Piyush Kant Rai

doi:10.18311/jeoh/2019/23122

Abstract

Infant mortality is an important indicator of nation’s socio-economic welfare. There are many socio-economic, demographic and environmental determinants of infant mortality. As infant has an innate relationship with the mother, therefore the maternal health programmes have also very important repercussion on infant health. The above two dimensions of infant mortality have seldom been examined together in infants-based studies. Thus, the survival analysis for infants regarding its several determinants along with maternal health programmes and their impact is seen in the study. The paper applies Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard model using National Family Health Survey data 2005-06, in India, to demonstrate the risk of infant death with the above said factors. Poor households are more likely to experience infant deaths than rich and middle households. Maternal health programmes have a significant effect on infant mortality, but the inclusion of breastfeeding, mother education and wealth index make these results insignificant. This study indicates that there is a need to increase birth spacing, improve mother’s education level, encourage breastfeeding and discourage teenage pregnancy in order to achieve the desired outcome of reducing infant mortality. Many interesting facets of the successful implementation of government and non-government policies on the improvement of infant survival are also discussed.

Highlights

Infant mortality rate (IMR) is defined as the deaths of live-born children before completing their first birthday per thousand live births
This paper investigate the effect of proximate, socio-economic determinants and maternal health programmes on infant mortality using Cox-proportional hazard model and data from 2005–06, National Family Health Survey
Findings suggest that there is direct evidence of breastfeeding on infant death: it consistently reduces the risk of infant mortality, even in the presence of other proximate, socio-economic and maternal health programmes and finding is consistent with the finding of the authors[10,12]

Summary

Introduction

Infant mortality rate (IMR) is defined as the deaths of live-born children before completing their first birthday per thousand live births. In developing countries a typical setting and the interaction of socio-economic, demographic and biological variables are treated as the determinants of infant, child and maternal health[6]. All studies showed the effect of proximate and socio-economic determinants on infant mortality but, missed the impact of the maternal health programmes which may have a relation to infant health. In recent years, United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon launched the global strategy for children’s and women’s health Every women and their child is important for the development of a country in term of reducing poverty and increasing health status. In this aspect maternal health programmes are seriously important in infant survival analysis. It is recommended that a pregnant woman take 100 tablets of iron and folic acid during her pregnancy, and health workers are instructed

National Family Health Survey

Findings

Discussion