How socioeconomic status affects birth and death rates in rural Kerala, India: results of a health study
Kutty, V.R.; Thankappan, K.R.; Kannan, K.P.; Aravindan, K.P.
International Journal of Health Services Planning Administration Evaluation 23(2): 373-386
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7314 PMID: 8500953 DOI: 10.2190/9n4p-f1l2-13hm-cqvwDocument Number: 336565
Data relating to births and deaths were collected from throughout the state of Kerala, India, in a health survey conducted in 1987 by the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, a voluntary organization. In this study, an analysis was made of birth and death rates as calculated from the survey sample of 9940 households (57 665 persons), with respect to variables such as region, religion, and socioeconomic status. In order to study the effect of socioeconomic factors on birth and death rates, a socioeconomic status rating (SES rating) was developed, taking into account such factors as income, education, housing conditions, and land ownership. Socioeconomic status was found to have a definite influence on birth and death rates, with higher socioeconomic status resulting in lower birth and death rates. This effect was independent of such variables as age structure of the population, religion, and region. The higher risk of mortality among the poorer households can partly be explained by the material deprivation: the higher birth rates could be the result of poorer educational attainments. In July 1987 a voluntary organization, the Kerala Sastra Sahitya, completed a survey in all the villages in the state on birth and death rates: 9940 households (57 665 people) were involved. Higher socioeconomic status (defined by factors such as income, education, housing conditions, and land ownership) was found to be associated with lower birth and death rates, and the effect was independent of confounding variables such as age-structure of the population, religion, and region.Carolyn A. Brown.