Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
13:13
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Early neonatal mortality in India, 1990-2006
Chandan Kumar1, Prashant Kumar Singh, Rajesh Kumar Rai
1Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. c.kumar803@gmail.com
Journal of Community Health
|July 17, 2012
Summary
Despite health program expansion, early neonatal mortality in India shows negligible decline. Key predictors like birth size and maternal education significantly influence newborn survival rates, highlighting areas for targeted intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Demography
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Health programs in India have reduced infant and child mortality but show little impact on early neonatal mortality (deaths within the first week of life).
- Understanding the trends and predictors of early neonatal mortality is crucial for effective public health strategies in India.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the trends in early neonatal mortality in India from 1990-2006.
- To identify demographic and socioeconomic predictors of early neonatal deaths using nationally representative data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (1992-1993, 1998-1999, 2005-2006).
- Estimation of early neonatal mortality rates for various population groups and states.
- Application of multivariate logistic regression to assess determinants of early neonatal deaths.
Main Results:
- Significant predictors of early neonatal deaths include child's sex, birth size, birth order and interval, type of birth, mother's age, education, religion, economic status, and region.
- Despite these identified predictors, multivariate analysis showed a negligible decline in the probability of early neonatal deaths between 1990 and 2006.
- The study highlights the persistent challenge of reducing early neonatal mortality in India.
Conclusions:
- Early neonatal mortality in India remains a significant public health concern with limited progress despite various interventions.
- Socio-demographic factors play a critical role, indicating the need for targeted interventions addressing these determinants.
- Further research and evidence-based strategies are essential to improve newborn survival rates in India.
