This paper estimates the net effect of seasonality on child mortality
in Matlab. Results suggest that childhood mortality was well above the
average monthly level in the hot, dry month of April and in November,
the first harvest month of the aman crop. It was found to be remarkab
ly low in the postharvest months of February and March, and also in Au
gust. During the hungry months of September and October, children were
at a considerably increased risk of mortality, particularly from diar
rheal diseases, if mothers had no schooling, but this was not the case
if mothers had schooling. The protective effect of the Matlab interve
ntions on childhood death from diarrheal diseases was also greater dur
ing the hungry months than during other months of the year.