This study investigated factors associated with child
mortality in an area in Rawalpindi, one of the large cities of Pakistan.
Using both demographic and anthropological methods, the research was
conducted to specifically examine the processes and mechanisms whereby a
link is established between child mortality and its covariates.
Controlling for the socio-economic status as a determinant of child
mortality, the study population was limited to a lower income stratum
living in a homogeneous environment where all households had equal
access to health-related and other facilities. Results of the
proportional hazards model analysis on 130I index children suggest that
non-economic factors like maternal health-seeking behaviour were related
to high child mortality. The cultural norm of bearing a large number of
children was the most significant correlate. In order of significance,
this was followed by contraceptive use, current age of the mother, age
at marriage and the hygienic conditions of the household. The study
provides strong evidence of familial clustering of mortality by order of
the household.
Effect of daily zinc supplementation on child mortality in southern Nepal: a community-based, cluster randomised, placebo-controlled trial
