Determinants of neonatal mortality in rural India, 2007-08

In the light of growing share of neonatal mortality in Under-5 mortality in recent decades in India, this study attempted to examine the individual, household, and community level factors affecting neonatal mortality in rural India. We analysed information on singleton live births from District Level Household Survey conducted in 2007-08. Multilevel modeling with MCMC procedure was used to examine the factors. The odds of neonatal death significantly decreased with increasing proportion of rich households in the village. Parental education, caste, and employment of the mother were found significant. The odds of death decreased if the households had access to improved sanitation, pucca house and electricity. The odds of death were higher for babies born in a health facility, male neonates, and neonates whose mothers experienced delivery complications. Neonates whose mothers received two tetanus toxoid injections were less likely to die in the neonatal period. Ensuring the consumption of an adequate quantity of tenatnus toxoid (TT) injections, targeting vulnerable groups like young and SC mothers, and improving the overall household environment by increasing access to improved toilets, electricity, and pucca houses could also contribute to further reductions in neonatal mortality in rural India.