Individual and family level clustering of child mortality in Orissa

Jalandhar Pradhan, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Perianayagam Arokiasamy, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

This paper assesses the individual and family level child death clustering in Orissa using the national family health survey–II data set. Proportional hazard and binomial models have been employed to examine clustering with various socio economic, environmental, maternal and demographic factors as covariates in the models. Though death clustering heavily occurs among the families of poor socioeconomic background, the question arises, why do some families experience distressful clustered mortality and not all? Is genetic frailty an important cause of child death clustering? The individual and family level clustering of child mortality suggests that assimilated genetic factor is a crucial component of child mortality. Are there any differences in the mother’s behavioural approaches in child caring? The case studies in two selected villages of Koraput district of Orissa indicate that mother’s competence and husband’s role regarding childcare are also two important factors that contribute to child death clustering.