A multilevel analysis of factors influencing child mortality in Ghana

Abstract

Child mortality being a core indicator for child health and the health status of children has significant effect on health in adulthood and socioeconomic development of a nation. This paper uses the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) 2013–2014 to investigate the predictors of child (age 1-4 years] mortality in a developing country like Ghana. The multilevel logistic regression technique has been used to estimate the predictors of child mortality. The study found that both child and mother-level characteristics such as birth weight, birth order, mother’s age, educational attainment of the mother have substantial impact on child mortality in Ghana Besides, household wealth index has significant impact on child mortality. The findings also show that place of residence and southern-northern dichotomy has momentous effect on child mortality. The paper recommends that governments must pursue policies that seek to improve the economic conditions of households. In addition, steps should be taken by policy makers to reduce spatial disparities in the availability of maternal health services as the absence of this perhaps contributes to child mortality.