Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting Child Mortality in Pakistan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Child mortality remains a critical global health issue, with Pakistan facing a high burden of fetal, maternal, and child mortality.
• Child mortality serves as a key indicator of a nation's socioeconomic status, healthcare system, and environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multifactorial determinants of child mortality in Pakistan.
• To identify specific demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare-related factors significantly associated with child mortality in the Pakistani context.

Main Methods:

• Binary Logistic Regression Analysis was employed to analyze factors affecting child mortality.
• Key variables examined included region, mother's education, birth order, preceding birth interval, child size at birth, breastfeeding practices, and family size.

Main Results:

• Maternal education, preceding birth interval, child size at birth, and family size were inversely associated with child mortality.
• Child mortality rates were significantly higher in Balochistan and for lower birth orders.
• Breastfeeding was significantly associated with increased child survival.

Conclusions:

• Maternal education, birth spacing, adequate child size, and larger family size are protective factors against child mortality in Pakistan.
• Regional disparities (e.g., Balochistan) and birth order significantly impact child survival.
• Promoting breastfeeding and improving maternal education are crucial interventions to reduce child mortality in Pakistan.