WORLDWIDE PATTERNS OF FACTORS AFFECTING CHILD MORTALITY

Abstract

Health is both a personal and social responsibility. But the common man fails to realize his duties regarding healthcare stragies.

Each year worldwide 10.6 million children die under the age of five (Razum and Breckenkamp, 2007). This study determined the factors that significantly influenced child mortality rates globally. Data mining was utilized and profiling of the countries was done based on country's characteristics namely: health workforce density, population density, geographical location, total health expenditure, national average income per capita and immunization status. In order to determine the significant factors affecting child mortality rate, multiple regression was used. Minitab was used to process the data. The results of the study revealed that among all the factors, health workforce density, geographical location and immunization status exert significant influence on child mortality rate. Child mortality rate can be determined by health service delivery (health workforce density and immunization status) and geographical factors of the countries worldwide. Government initiatives play a vital role in radically reducing child mortality rate.