This paper investigates the level of health-seeking behavior of mothers and how this behavior has affected infant and child mortality in Bangladesh. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used for the identification of under-5 mortality in terms of socioeconomic, biological, and environmental factors. The study showed that birth order and infant and child mortality risks were found to be higher in mothers who were under 20 years of age. Neonatal and infant mortality rates were found to be higher for female than for male children, but the child mortality rate was higher for female than for male children. Results suggest that there were no significant differentials in urban-rural mortality risks. However, there was a significant association between child mortality and type of place of residence. To judge by the results of this study, mother's education, age at birth, and birth interval should be taken into consideration in efforts aimed at reducing neonatal and infant mortality. The findings underscore the importance of directing explicit attention to community characteristics such as access to primary health facilities, the number of physicians and nurses in the community, immunization campaigns, and the nature of water and sanitation systems. A well-organized contraceptive delivery approach should focus on couples whose last child has died, in order to combat excess fertility and infant mortality and to improve maternal reproductive health.

作者：A A, Howlader；M U, Bhuiyan

来源：Asia-Pacific population journal 1999 年 14卷 1期