Empirical Study of Child Birth and Mortality Status and Wealth Index in Sindh (Rural and Urban)

Abstract

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This study utilised the most recent DHS data from the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey 2019, a program by USAID. This survey is a cross-sectional survey administered at the household level. For this study, data from the 2019 MMS (Maternal Mortality Survey) were used for this study. The distribution of child status in Sindh urban and rural areas is 6803 births in urban areas and 10091 births in rural areas since 2016. The average birth per household is 1 in urban areas and 2 in rural areas. The gender distribution in urban Sindh shows 51.9 % boys and 48.1% girls, while in rural Sindh, it is 51.7% boys and 48.3% girls. Mortality status of children indicates that since 2016, 19.3 deaths per unit in urban areas and 21.8 deaths per unit in rural areas. The death rate is higher in rural areas of Sindh as compared to urban areas. 3.2 % still birth in urban areas and 2.4% in rural areas. Survival status of children was assessed, 92.3% of children are reported alive in urban Sindh, and in rural the corresponding figure is 94.0%. Additionally, 7.7% in urban areas are reported as deceased, while 6.0% in rural areas are noted as not alive. The high percentage of children born per year indicates a high fertility rate in both regions of Sindh. An odds ratio of 1.0 (C.I, 0.98, 1.09) associated with a lower wealth index is associated with mortality. Birth status is the same in both urban and rural areas of Sindh; however, child mortality is high in rural areas compared to the urban population of Sindh. The wealth index indicates the rural population is living in lower wealth as compared to the urban population, but overall wealth of Sindh is below the middle level. Economic health indicators need to be monitored.