Trends, Patterns and Socio-Economic Differentials in Under-Five Aged Childhood Mortality in Bangladesh

Over the past few decades there has been a substantial progress in reducing infant, child and under-five mortality in Bangladesh. Although the overall mortality declines remarkably differentials and variations within the mortality by socio-economic determinants are not explained elaborately. As few countries and regions have achieved remarkable reductions, Bangladesh being one example to investigate trends, patterns and differentials. Moreover, there is a renewed interest in interventions believed to improve the condition but the childhood mortality may be vulnerable as socioeconomic determinants have been responsible for structuring the patterns of mortality. By analyzing the five rounds of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (1993-94 to 2007) this study projected that Bangladesh is most likely to achieve the Millennium Development Goal here a MDG target of a two-thirds reduction in child mortality by 2015. Although infant, child and under five mortality have declined steadily over the years differentials in trends and patterns by socio-economic determinants reflect that rural area mostly poses the higher mortality than urban area. Childhood mortality also follows the variations in mortality by division (regional area) which related to socio-economic condition. The level of education of mother is inversely related to the incidence of mortality in Bangladesh over the years. The occurrences of the higher mortality always prevailed among mother with no or lower level of education whereas the highest infant, child and under-five aged mortality in Bangladesh belong to the lowest wealth index. The risk of death is reduced sharply for children in the fourth and highest wealth quintiles compared with children in the lowest three wealth quintiles. To reduce childhood mortality strategy should be made by residence or administrative region. Acceleration of female education, eliminating the gender gap in child health services, increasing the use of health services during pregnancy and delivery, etc. are required for a viable future.