VARIATIONS IN FAMILIAL NEONATAL-MORTALITY RISKS IN 4 COUNTRIES

This paper investigates variations in the strength and structure of fa milial association in neonatal mortality risks in four populations; Bo livia, Kenya, Peru, and Tanzania. Exploratory analyses of the structur e of the familial association are presented for each population. Rando m effects logistic models are then used to estimate the strength of fa milial association in neonatal mortality risks using a standard set of control variables. The results suggest that the strength of familial association in neonatal mortality risks is quite similar in these four populations which would be consistent with a biological explanation f or the association. However, some differences were found, particularly in the form of the association in Peru, which may suggest at least a small role of other factors.