Impact of Socio- demographic Factors on Child Mortality in Bangladesh: An Multivariate Approach

Ch ild is the asset of a country. Child mortality is a powerful indicator to determine overall health situation in a country. It is one of the most important issues in developing countries. In Bangladesh, it is related to various social, demographic and environmental factors. Moreover, ch ild mortality is linked to fert ility. The main purpose of this study is to determine the factors related to child mortality in Bangladesh. In this study, data is used from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2007. In this paper, percentage distribution and logistic regression model have been used to determine which factors affect child mortality. It is indicated that mother’s education, wealth index, b reastfeeding status, birth order, preceding birth interval and watch TV have effect on child mortality. The logistic model reveals that the mortality risk is 0.681 times lower fo r preceding b irth interval 24 months and above than the preceding birth interval below 24 months. The risk of ch ild mortality is 1.43 times higher for b irth order 2-3 and 1.633 t imes higher for b irth order 4+ as compared with single birth order. The risk of child mortality is found 0.958 t imes and 0.941 times lower for the child ren whose father’s having secondary and higher education as compared to the children of father’s having primary education. As compared with illiterate mothers the risk of mortality is 0.584 times, 0.341 times and 0.165 t imes lower for mothers who have had primary, secondary and higher education respectively. The risk of child mortality is found 0.958 t imes and 0.941 t imes lower for the children whose father’s having secondary and higher education as compared to the children of father’s having primary education. The risk o f mortality is 0.850 times less for the children whose mother watching TV regularly than the children whose mother does not watch TV. The risk ch ild mortality was found 0.017 t imes lower for the children whose mother currently breastfeeding to their children as compared to the children whose mother’s were not currently breastfeeding their children. Breastfeeding plays an important ro le in the growth, development and survival status of infant and child. So, it is concluded that mother’s education, breastfeeding status, wealth index, watch TV and b irth order should be increased for reducing child mortality in Bangladesh.