Factors Affecting Infant and Child Mortality in Bangladesh: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

The reduction of infant and child mo11ality in the developing countries is one or the most substantial achievements of human kind. However, in spite of various effective intervention programs, the infant and child mortality are considerably high in Bangladesh. Therefore, in this study, an attempt has been made to assess the levels, patterns and determinants of mortality in Bangladesh utilizing nationally representative data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2004. The purpose of this study is also to identify user-related factors, which influence the infant and child mortality in Bangladesh. Differential pattern in infant and child mortality in Bangladesh is examined using bi variate analysis, logistic regression analysis and also factor analysis in multivariate approach. The study results show that several socioeconomic, demographic and household variables affect infant and child mortality. These are: place of residence, division, mother's education, father's education, father's occupation, age of mother at birth of child, sex of child, preceding birth interval, availability of electricity, sources or drinking water, toilet facilities, exposure to mass media i.e., radio, TV and floor/wall/roof materials. Multivariate analysis results indicate that type of place of residence, sex of child, mother's education, father's occupation and division are important factors that have significant influence on infant and child mortality. Ti1e most significant predictors of neonatal, post-neonatal and infant mortality are mother's education and father's occupation. Father and mother's education both are persistent socioeconomic predictors of mortality. Construction materials of wall of houses are found significant for neonatal mortality. Floor materials are found significant for infant mortality. Furthermore, differential analysis shows that, male children experienced substantially higher mortali1y than female children did at neonatal, infantile and child periods but in post-neonatal period the relationship is opposite.