The determinants of infant mortality in regional India
Beenstock, M.; Sturdy, P.
World Development Oxford 18(3): 443-453
1990
DOI: 10.1016/0305-750x(90)90129-lDocument Number: 336388
Factor analysis is used to estimate a model in which infant mortality across Indian states is explained by socioeconomic variables. Twelve such variables are condensed into four factors which are statistically significant. The resulting model implies that all but one of these variables affect infant mortality in the way one would normally expect. The model is also tested for sex bias in infant mortality as well as regional biases. The statistical performance of linear and logistical models is compared. A reestimation of Jain's regression model showed that DPT vaccination, adult female literacy, poverty, caste and the usage of medical facilities were important determinants of infant mortality in rural India. A better fitting model was achieved by dropping a number of his independent variables and adding others.
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