Causes of Under-5 Mortality Among Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa Nations: A Comparative Study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe coverage of the study extends over BRICS nations. This study aims to identify the major causes of under-5 mortality across the selected nations of Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). MethodsSecondary data served as inputs to the survey. Relevant data were obtained from the World Bank data repository, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) official online repository between the years 2000 and 2015. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, such as trend analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), were used to make sense of the relationship between the macro, community, and individual level variables on under-5 mortality. ResultsThe results indicated a decreasing pattern in deaths from all the disease conditions affecting the under-5 age group for all 5 countries. ConclusionThe outcome of the study provides insights on disease transitions over time across the regions, which may have policy-related and educational implications.