Factors affecting infant and child mortality

Abstract

SummaryThis paper examines the determinants of infant and child mortality variations in four near east countries using data from WFS surveys. The analysis considers biological correlates of mortality—mother's age, birth order, birth interval, and previous infant loss—and several social factors—mother's and father's education, mother's residence, father's occupation, and mother's work experience since marriage. A multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model is carried out to obtain the net effect of each factor on mortality. Separate models are constructed for infant mortality and childhood mortality and for each country.The four countries show large variations in mortality, but this is persistently higher in female than male children. All four demographic characteristics affect mortality significantly, especially the length of the preceding birth interval. Among the socioeconomic variables, only rural–urban residence is influential.