Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on Infant Mortality in Pakistan

Abstract

The recent study was carried out to estimate the impact of socioeconomic, demographic and the aspect of health status on child mortality in Pakistan. The data for the study was collected from the PSLM (Pakistan Social and Living Standard measurement survey) for the year 2011-12. The data were analyzed through cross-tabulation and binary logistic model using MLE (Maximum likelihood estimation) technique. Overall, 13216 households were selected for the analysis. The result of the study of the cross-tabulation shows that the overall child mortality was low in Baluchistan province, the maximum number of children survived in Punjab province further, and the child mortality was low in an urban area where 290 children died out of 3984 houses as compared to rural area household in Pakistan. Child mortality was high among females than males in Pakistan. The result of binary logistics shows that out of the total independent variable, nine variables significantly affect child mortality in Pakistan, location of the household, gender, education of father, education of mother, income and mother feeding, positively associated the infant mortality; all these aspects reduce the chance of child mortality, while there was a less likely chance that child survives in Punjab, Sindh as compared to KPK in Pakistan. In the case of Baluchistan, there was also the same situation as KPK in terms of child mortality. Infant mortality was high in female children compared to male children, which means there is a less likely chance of surviving among the female child than the male child. All other variables were insignificant in Pakistan. It is suggested that the central authority provide basic children and mothers health facilities at minimum cost to the rural areas of Pakistan.