Finding out Means of Reduction of Infant Mortality in India: A Study Based on NFHS-3

The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is universally regarded not only as an important indicator of the health status of a community but also of the level of living of people. Infant mortality has decreased worldwide including India. However, the fall has slowed down and the level is yet much above MDG. In this scenario, we have attempted to find the plausible ways to prevent infant mortality using the National Family Health Survey – Round 3 (NFHS-3) data. Taking survival of an infant as the dependent variable and the various types of prenatal and delivery-time care, the economic condition of infant’s parents, birth-spacing, education of mother as independent variables binary logistic regression has been done to find out means of improving infant’s health.

It is evident from our study that taking assistance from doctors during the prenatal period, delivery of the baby at a government hospital/health-center/ maternity center etc or at private hospitals/nursing-home, use of clean blade to cut the umbilical cord and use of disposable delivery kit can reduce the infant mortality significantly. Satisfactory employment status of infant’s father increases chance of infant survival. Birth-spacing of minimum 3 to 4 years and education of mother over 10 years are two other important factors that improve infant survival.