Infant Mortality in Kenya: Evidence from the Kenya Fertility Survey

摘要

Recent increases in Kenya's population growth rate - one of the world's highest - are due more to declining infant mortality than to rising fertility. This paper examines infant mortality in Kenya based on the 1978 Kenya Fertility Survey and argues that despite declining mortality, much still needs to be done in the areas of health and nutrition. After briefly reviewing African data on child and infant mortality and historical data on infant mortality in Kenya, the author analyzes long-term and current trends in Kenya's infant mortality. Next, past and present differentials in infant and neonatal mortality are examined in relation to birth order, child's sex, education, location (urban, rural, and by region), and type of marriage (monogamy versus polygamy). Finally, the author performs a multivariate analysis of the above trends and differentials.