Contributing determinants of overall and wealth-related inequality in under-5 mortality in 13 African countries. Issue 8 (23rd May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Malderen, Carine; Van Oyen, Herman; Speybroeck, Niko
• Other Names: Ogali Irene author non-byline.; Sparks Corey author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 67:Issue 8(2013)
• Page Start: 667
• Page End: 676
• Publication Date: 2013-05-23
• Subjects: CHILD HEALTH -- INEQUALITIES -- SOCIO-ECONOMIC -- INTERNATIONAL HLTH -- PUBLIC HEALTH; Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech-2012-202195
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate and compare the main determinants of overall inequality and wealth-related inequality in under-5 mortality in 13 African countries. Methods: Data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2007–2010 in African countries were used. The study assessed the contribution of determinants to (1) overall inequality in under-5 mortality measured by the Gini index and (2) wealth-related inequality in under-5 mortality measured by the concentration index. Techniques used were multivariate logistic regression and decomposition of Gini and concentration indexes. Results: Birth order and interval and region contributed the most to overall inequality in under-5 mortality in a majority of countries. A significant wealth-related inequality was observed in five countries: DRCongo, Egypt, Madagascar, Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe. Overall, household wealth, father's occupation and mother's education contributed the most to this inequality, though the ranking of the most important determinants differed across countries. Conclusions: Assessing the contribution of determinants to overall inequality and to wealth-related inequality in under-5 mortality help in prioritising interventions aiming at improving child survival and equity.