Infant and childhood mortality in karnataka india levels trends and differentials assessed through indirect techniques
Ram, F.; Girimaji, J.H.; Umamani, K.S.
Health and Population Perspectives and Issues 8(3): 168-204
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-6803 Document Number: 393324
An attempt has been made in this paper to assess the levels, trends and differentials in infant and childhood mortality by analyzing different surveys conducted from time to time in Karnataka [India]. It is observed that infant mortality rate (IMR) for the State of Karnataka was around 200 per 1000 live births before 1950. The estimate of IMR from 1972 Fertility Survey of India is around 128 for rural of 83 for urban area. The analysis of 1981 census data gives us the estimate of IMR as 95 for rural area and 59 for urban area. Infant and childhood mortality in Karnataka had not declined substantially until the late 1940s, but after 1950, it has been quite substantial. Now for mortality to decline with the same pace, the government has to put additional infrastructure to cover up remote villages and also under-privileged people in urban area. The IMR for male from 1981 census data is higher than female irrespective of area. The mortality differentials beyond infancy is not very clear. The analysis of 1981 census data by religion shows that infant and childhood mortality is higher for Hindus followed by Christians and Muslims. The lower child mortality among Muslims cannot be explained but it is observed at all India level also.