Infant and child mortality in three culturally contrasting states of India

Using cross-sectional, individual-level survey data from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh collected under the Indian National Family Health S urvey programme of 1992-93, statistical modelling was used to analyse the i mpact of a range of variables on the survival status of children during the ir first 2 years of life. Attention was focused on the potential impact of the mother's autonomy. The strongest predictors of mortality were demograph ic and biological factors, breast-feeding behaviour, and use and knowledge of health services. Variables that can be interpreted as being related to m aternal autonomy, such as the presence of a mother-in-law in the household, did not have a significant direct effect on child survival at the individu al level, and their indirect effects were very limited.