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Determinants of infant and child mortality in Kenya: an analysis controlling for frailty effects
Authors: Omariba, D.; Beaujot, Roderic; Rajulton, Fernando
Source: Population Research and Policy Review, Volume 26, Number 3, June 2007 , pp. 299-321(23); DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11113-007-9031-z
Topic(s): Childhood mortality
Infant mortality
Country: Africa
  Kenya
Published: JUN 2007
Abstract: In this paper, Weibull unobserved heterogeneity (frailty) survival models are utilized to analyze the determinants of infant and child mortality in Kenya. The results of these models are compared to those of standard Weibull survival models. The study particularly examines the extent to which child survival risks continue to vary net of observed factors and the extent to which nonfrailty models are biased due to the violation of the statistical assumption of independence. The data came from the 1998 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. The results of the standard Weibull survival models clearly show that biodemographic factors are more important in explaining infant mortality, while socioeconomic, sociocultural and hygienic factors are more important in explaining child mortality. Frailty effects are substantial and highly significant both in infancy and in childhood, but the conclusions remain the same as in the nonfrailty models.