District Level Inequalities in Child Survival in India: Results of the Reproductive and Child Health District Level Health Survey II, 2002-2004

Jesse Abbott-Klafter, University of California, San Francisco
Nirmala Ravishankar, University of Washington
Paul Gubbins, University of Washington
Christopher J.L. Murray, University of Washington

This paper presents analysis of inequalities in under-5 mortality at the district level in India using the Reproductive and Child Health District Level Health Survey II, 2002-2004. This analysis has two primary goals. The first is to examine the major determinants of inequality in child mortality at the individual level, with a focus on the relative impact of socioeconomic factors, such as household wealth, wealth inequality, education and religion compared to the impact of the provision of important maternal and child health interventions such as antenatal care, the presence of skilled birth attendants and DPT3 vaccination, the third dose of the diptheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine. The second goal is to examine the factors responsible for inequalities in child mortality across districts in India. This analysis allows us to explore why some districts have been effective at reducing mortality in the poorest groups while others have not.