An assessment of infant and child mortality by social group and place of residence in districts of Orissa

Abstract

ObjectiveTo provide an approximation of infant and child mortality rate for all the districts of Orissa using CEB (Children Ever Born) and CS (Children Survival) data of Census of India, 2001. And to find out the correlations of IMR and CMR with selected monitoring indicators. MethodsTrussell method has been used in estimating infant and child mortality rate. For a better understanding, the districts were classified into three groups on the basis of estimated infant mortality rate viz. i) infant mortality rate lower than national average, ii) infant mortality rate between state and national average and iii) infant mortality rate more than state average. ResultsStudy reveals that most of the districts of Orissa are experiencing higher IMR and CMR as compared to estimated IMR and CMR of state average. Only one district of Orissa (Mayurbhanj) has IMR and CMR lower than national average in comparison with other districts of Orissa. On the other hand, 17 districts have an infant mortality between the state and national average, 12 districts have an infant mortality higher than the state average. ConclusionThe ranking of districts helps to identify the backward and most backward districts in reproductive and child health programmes and to intensify the intervention strategies to reduce the infant and child mortality in the state of Orissa.