Spatial Modeling of Risk Factors for Gender-Specific Child Mortality in a Rural Area of Bangladesh

Abstract

This chapter describes the use of geographic information systems to predict spatial risk of child survival problems in a rural area of Bangladesh. Demographic, health service and socioeconomic surveillance data linked with a geographic information system from the rural area were used to predict the risk of gender-specific child mortality. Temporal data from the area show that child mortality rates have declined, and that gender differences in mortality have been eliminated. However, results of the higher mortality area analysis show that this decline has not been consistent in all areas. A wide geographical variation of mortality exists within the area as well. In general, places that had no intensive child health intervention, no outside embankment and were distant from a treatment center predicted a higher risk for child mortality. An area with Hindu predominance predicted risk for only female child mortality. The results of the analysis suggest that, with socioeconomic and cultural interventions, spatial variations in child mortality can be minimized.