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Gender differences in postneonatal infant mortality in Taiwan
W S Yang1, H H Knöbel, C J Chen
1Sun Yat-Sen Institute for Social Sciences and Philosophy, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Gender discrimination subtly impacts child survival in Taiwan, with lower socio-economic development favoring males. Overall postneonatal mortality decreased for both genders, though subtle gender disparities persist.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Demography
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Gender discrimination affecting child survival is prevalent in Asia.
- Taiwan's context offers a unique perspective on gender and child mortality due to varying socio-economic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender and cause-specific postneonatal mortality in Taiwan.
- To analyze trends and disparities in infant mortality rates between males and females.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mortality data from death certificates and demographic statistics in Taiwan (1981-1990).
- Calculation of male-to-female ratios for overall and cause-specific mortality rates.
- Examination of place of death for infectious diseases as an indicator of healthcare access.
Main Results:
- Postneonatal mortality declined for both males and females between 1981 and 1990.
- The male-to-female death rate ratio was 1.11, with variations across urban, rural, and regional areas.
- Infectious disease mortality showed higher female deaths at home in rural and central regions, suggesting potential healthcare access disparities.
Conclusions:
- High socio-economic development correlates with gender equality in child survival.
- Lower socio-economic development may favor males, indicating subtle gender discrimination.
- Taiwan exhibits less pronounced gender-based discrimination in child mortality compared to other Asian regions like India and Thailand.