Current Trends in Child Mortality in India: A Spatial, Survival and Regression Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Demography
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Child mortality remains a significant public health challenge in India.
• Subnational disparities in child mortality are substantial, influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multi-dimensional determinants of child mortality in India.
• To analyze subnational burden, socioeconomic inequalities, maternal care, and environmental factors influencing child mortality.

Main Methods:

• Estimated age-specific mortality indicators at state and district levels using normalized survey weights.
• Utilized Logistic Regression (LR) and Cox Proportional Hazard (CPH) models to evaluate Under-Five Mortality (U5M) determinants.
• Incorporated complex survey design to characterize mortality risk over time.

Main Results:

• Highest child mortality burden concentrated in socioeconomically deprived regions.
• Maternal age, education, birth order, birth weight, delivery location, and multiple births significantly associated with higher mortality.
• Maternal healthcare utilization, care continuity, postnatal practices, and socio-demographic factors identified as independent predictors.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing maternal and neonatal care, healthcare accessibility, and household conditions are vital for reducing child mortality.
• Prioritizing high-burden and high-risk states/districts is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2.
• The study provides a framework for analyzing child mortality disparities and informs targeted interventions.