Abstract
Socioeconomic and demographic variables are examined in a multilevel framework to determine conditions influencing infant survival in Zimbabwe (1983-88) using Demographic and Health Survey data. Community level child health inputs consistently influence infant survival. The most unique finding is that childbearing-aged women's average educational levels in their community exert a greater effect on infant survival than the individual mother's educational level. This result supports assertions that child survival is strongly impacted by mass education (Caldwell, 1989). This research also contributes evidence to theories postulating that widespread social development is necessary to sustain recent declines in developing country mortality rates (Palloni, 1989).
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 101-129 |
| Journal | Africa Development/Afrique et Developpement |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 1997 |
Keywords
- infants
- mothers
- mortality
- communities
- modeling
- childbirth
- women's health
- educational attainment
- child nutrition