Modeling the Determinants of Child Mortality in Bushenyi District

Peninah Agaba, Makerere University
Jonathan Odwee, Makerere University

This paper analyzes the determinants of the child mortality in Bushenyi district using an integrated approach incorporating socio-economic, maternal, childhood and environmental factors. Binary logistic regression was applied to an original dataset for Bushenyi women age 15-45 containing 776 observations compiled on the basis of the 2002 Population and Housing Census. Our findings support the human capital hypothesis, which predicts that children born to women with higher educational attainment and stronger career commitment tend to experience low mortality rates. Also socio-economic, childhood and environmental characteristics are important determinants child mortality. Education of women should be encouraged especially up to primary level and also education to women on proper feeding of the children that is breast-feeding, weaning food and balanced diet should be advocated for. Increased age at first marriage and child birth should also be advocated for.