Aktolkyn Amantaykyzy
Kazguu University, Kazakhstan
Title: Determinants of infant mortality risk in Kazakhstan
Biography
Biography: Aktolkyn Amantaykyzy
Abstract
Infant mortality rate is one of the key indicators of the Millennium Development Goals from the United Nations. In the last two decades, this indicator became 6 times smaller during 1990 to 2017 (from 54.1 deaths/1,000 live births to 8.9) in Kazakhstan. This decrease on infant mortality rate have been much faster in Kazakhstan than in other countries of Central Asia, so it would be useful to understand the reasons why. Thus, the aim of the paper is to analyze the socio-economic determinants of infant mortality in Kazakhstan in order to shed light on the factors behind its huge reduction. In order to estimate the determinants of infant mortality we run a legit model based on Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) database provided by UNICEF for Kazakhstan in 2006, 2010-2011, 2015. Results show that the access to health resources is the main determinant to reduce infant mortality. On the one hand, the probability that women had experienced the death of children decreases for the 4th and 5th quintile of wealth, i.e. for those who have a better access to the health resources. On the other hand, the probability that the kid dies almost is double for families living the rural area compared with urban areas (explained for the difficulties of reaching the health facilities in rural areas). Additionally, the probability of women experienced the death of a born child is reducing for the mothers with higher education. Results of this paper can be used to keep the positive path in the infant mortality decrease for Kazakhstan and taken as an example for other countries in Central Asia where infant mortality is still high.