Environmental determinants of child mortality in Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on the determinants of infant and child mortality in Kenya. The study specifically examined how infant and child mortality is related to the household's environmental and socieconomic characteristics, such as mother's education, source of drinking water, sanitation facility, type of cooking fuels and access to electricity. A hazard rate framework was used to analyze the determinants of child mortality. Duration models are easily applicable to the problem if child mortality as this class of models’ straightforwardly accounts for problems like right-censoring.

Household's environmental and socioeconomic characteristics were found to have significant impact on child mortality. Policies aimed at achieving the goal of reduced child mortality should he directed on improving the household's environment and/or socioeconomic status if this goal is to be realized.