"Infant Mortality in Sri Lanka"

Abstract

Infant mortality in Sri Lanka declined substantially between 1961 and 1980 the reduction being higher during the post-natal period. 3 distinct phases were identified: 1) a declining trend in the face of several fluctuations; 2) a sharp reversal of the trend and then an increase; and 3) a more consistent decline. Between the periods 1961-65 and 1976-80 deaths from exogenous and endogenous causes were reduced considerably and nearly equally. The probabilities of survival increased in every age group proportionally more in the 1st week of life. There was no evidence that changes in national income or total food supply were factors but protein calorie availability appeared to affect the rate. Distribution of free supplementary food increase in public health personnel more immunization and a rise in the number of institutional births appeared to have initiated and sustained the more recent decline in infant mortality. Increasing levels of female education also augmented these developments. Further efforts to improve living conditions access to safe water and flush or water-seal toilets and motivating women to deliver in institutions and extend their postnatal stay would probably result in a further decline as well as general strategies such as integrating public health and medical services and improving health education programs.