Child Mortality and its Socio-Economic, Maternal and Environmental Determinants in Pakistan: An Empirical Evidence from Micro Level Data

Abstract

Although child mortality has declined over time throughout the world, it still persists in less developed nations. The fundamental reasons include a high child growth rate, poor maternal health, household financial problems, and a lack of basic health facilities, all of which contribute to the continued prevalence of child mortality in these countries. The current study was carried out in Pakistan to explore the impact of socioeconomic, maternal and environmental aspects over child mortality. The data for this purpose were taken from Pakistan Social and Living Standard Measurement Survey (PSLM) and Household Integrated and Economic Survey (HIES) 2018-19. The overall 8150 households were taken as a sample size. The data were analyzed through Binary Logistic Regression Model using Maximum Likelihood Estimation Technique (MLE). The results of the model showed that gender of the child, mother having mobile phone, mother used toxoid injection, doctor assist in delivery, mother breast feedings, used hand pump water as source of drinking, gas connection, child born in private healthcare center, access to internet facility and residence of the household in Baluchistan province found significant determinants of child mortality. On other side, gender of the head, trained Dai assist in delivery, motor pump and filtration plant as source of water, child born in government healthcare center, regional location, and the residence of the household in KPK and Sindh provinces found insignificant in Pakistan.   

Keywords:

Child mortality, PSLM, HIES, Binary Logistic Regression, Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Pakistan