Education and infant survival in rural Bangladesh[manuscript]

Abstract

This paper explores the mechanism through which socioeconomic status affects infant deaths. The data used here come from a prospective study in rural Bangladesh. Both neonatal deaths and postneonatal deaths were found to be higher in number among those whose mothers have no schooling. Again, education of the mother has been found to be related to gestational month at termination and this gestational month at termination (which is the maturity of the newborn) determines the neonatal death. The other factors affecting infant mortality were the height of the mother and the weight of the infant. The taller the mother, the fewer the neonatal and post-natal deaths. The weight of the infant has a direct relationship to its survival during infancy.

PIP: The mechanism through which socioeconomic status affects infant deaths in rural Bangladesh was explored. Education of the mother may be directly related to the child's nutrition, which, in turn, determines infant deaths. The nutrition of the mother may also be inversely related to preterm delivery, and thereby more neonatal deaths. The study began in November 1975 and continued through March 1978. 14 villages in Matlab with approximately 2200 married women aged 15-49 years were selected for the study. All the births occurring during this period and their survival status were recorded. A cohort of 1009 births was analyzed. The overall neonatal mortality rate was 31, and the postneonatal rate was 40/1000 livebirths. The neonatal mortality rate (31/1000 livebirths) was approximately 50% lower than the rate found for the rest of Matlab during the same time period. The neonatal mortality was higher among males. Neonatal deaths were more common in the 1st parity. Postneonatal deaths were lowest in mothers younger than age 20. Both neonatal and postneonatal death rates were slightly lower among literate mothers. Another socioeconomic factor considered was the number of country boats, which are the only means of communication in the study area. Neonatal deaths were the same among families with or without boats, but postneonatal deaths were slightly higher among families with 2 or more boats. About 30% of births took place among families whose fathers had migrated to obtain work. The neonatal death rate is higher among this group, but the postneonatal death rates are unaffected. 2 variables were found to be signficantly important to survive the neonatal period: height of mother and gestation month at delivery. Both factors were directly related to the chances of surviving the neonatal period. Infants with taller mothers or greater weight had a greater chance of surviving the postneonatal period. The growth pattern of female children is inferior due to the neglect of female children in the society. Thus, a better growth of female children of this generation will reduce the infant deaths of the next generation. Reduction of preterm deliveries by prenatal care will significantly reduce the neonatal deaths