| Socio-economic inequalities in child survival in India: A decomposition analysis |
| Authors: |
Jalandhar Pradhan, Perianayagam Arokiasamy |
| Source: |
Health Policy, 98 (2010) 114–120, doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2010.05.010 |
| Topic(s): |
Childhood mortality
Inequality
|
| Country: |
Asia
India
|
| Published: |
MAR 2010 |
| Abstract: |
This paper provides a first time assessment of the decomposed contributions of socioeconomic
determinants of under2 child mortality in India and its states using the recent
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3, 2005–06) data. In the first stage analysis, concentration
indices of under2 mortality were generated as measures of socio-economic
inequalities. The concentration indices were then decomposed into their determining factors.
Decomposition results reveal that poor household economic status (46%), mother’s
illiteracy (35%) and rural residence (15%) contribute to 96% of total socio-economic inequalities
in child survival at the national level. The contribution of economic status is relatively
smaller in 5 states that are advanced in health transition. The varying pattern of evidence
across the states from decomposition analysis suggests the need for unique health intervention
strategies for different states in accordance with the evidence of major contributions
to total child health inequalities arising from poverty, illiteracy and rural residence. |
|