Birth intervals, breastfeeding and determinants of childhood mortality in Malawi

Childhood mortality in Malawi is analyzed by employing proportional hazards models. The analysis uses highly reliable data collected from the 1992 Dem ographic and Health Survey (DHS) of Malawi. The results show that the subst antial birth interval and maternal age effects are largely limited to the i nfant period. The influence of social and economic variables on the mortali ty risk and on the relationship between biodemographic variables and mortal ity risk is much enhanced with increasing age of the child. It has also bee n found that consideration of breastfeeding status of the child does not si gnificantly alter interpretation of effects of preceding birth interval len gth on mortality risk, but does partially diminish the succeeding birth int erval effect. The results are discussed and then summarized in the context of policy implications for Malawi. The paper addresses a very important iss ue in Malawi and it adds valuable insights to the base of knowledge in chil dhood mortality in sub-Sahara Africa. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.