More recent trends in infant and child mortality in Zimbabwe and possible explanations

The paper uses published results from the 1992 census to describe more recent trends in infant and child mortality in Zimbabwe. It is shown that the period 1986 to 1988 provided the turning point in the gradual decline in infant and child mortality in the provinces. After this period, several provinces experienced a slow-down in mortality decline while some even experienced reversals. Using correlation analysis, it was suggested that the factors which affected infant mortality could be the same ones affecting child mortality. The paper then proceeds to formulate hypotheses on possible explanations for the slow down in mortality decline.