Specific Causes of Child Mortality in Tanzania: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract
Reducing child mortality rates in Tanzania is a challenging issue and a public health emergency in the country. This study, based on Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2008 data, presents a method for estimating specific causes of child mortality. Tanzania’s child mortality rate was ranked 27th globally the rate was above the world average. Study findings shows wealth index was the major contributor in the odds of child mortality. The preceding birth interval approximately 76% spaced their births at 24 months or more. Hazard rates findings focus on specific causes of child mortality based on the mother’s fertility behaviors, such as birth intervals, age at childbirth and multiplicity of birth, rather than on other determinants of socioeconomic and health care services. Children belonging to the group of higher birth order faced the odds for dying of 0.17. Age at first birth became significant with the odds for survival increasing by 1.68 times, with the increase in age of the mother at first childbirth. There are two important variables, health care facilities and health care service providers, not showing any statistical effect on child mortality. This means health infrastructure and service providers need to work hard. Therefore, further in-depth study is strongly recommended.