Influence of Non-Biological Factors on Early Neonatal Mortality: Evidences from Some Selected States of India

Aparajita Chattopadhyay, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Ranjana Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Rajib Acharya, ORC Macro and Johns Hopkins University
Subrata Lahiri, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Neonatal period is very important in human life because three-fourth of infant deaths occur within the first 28 days of life of which a large proportion occurs within the first seven days. Present study is an attempt to re-assess the predictors of early neonatal mortality in India as a whole and for three regions in particular (demographically advance states, backward states and those in between) through the modified framework of Kikhela by using National Family Health Survey (NFHS-II) data during 1998-99. Bivariate analysis and hierarchical binomial logistic regressions are carried out to understand relationship between early neonatal mortality and non-biological correlates. Study shows that education, religion and work status of mother have significant effects on the survival of infant in the first week of life. Besides this all the variables related to pregnancy and delivery, mother's demographic factors, mother's nutritional status and child characteristics have shown significant impact on outcome of pregnancy.