The relationship between household environmental factors and infant mortality rate in North Sumatra

Abstract

Using the five per cent sample of the 1980 population census in North Sumatra, this study examines the relationship between household environmental factors and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). The environmental factors are measured by the variables provided in the census data set: source of drinking water; floor area per member of household; and lavatory facility. In order to also observe the impact of socio-economic status of the households, some socio-economic factors are used. The theoretical framework proposed by Mosley and Chen (1984) is used in this study, in order to indicate the linkage of the variables. However, not all of the factors in their model are included in the study due to the incompleteness of the census data. The IMRs are estimated using the Trussell method of indirect estimation. It is assumed that the mortality pattern in Indonesia follows the 'West' model of Coale- Demeny model life tables. The values for IMRs are obtained through the measure of q3 (probability of dying between age 0 and age three) which is proved to be the best estimate from the data analysis. It is found that households which used piped-water as the source of drinking water had the lowest IMR. On the other hand, the highest IMR occurred among the households that used river-water as the source of drinking water. About 18 per cent of the households in rural areas still used river-water as the source of drinking water, while pipedwater was mainly available in urban areas. The findings also show that the relationship between crowding, which is measured by floor space per person, and IMR is different from what was expected. This finding was possibly due to the fact that the traditional houses, which are larger, are usually made of lower quality housing materials. However, after controlling for the highest category of socio-economic variables it shows negative relation (the larger the room space per person, the lower the IMR). This means that the positive relationship only occurred for those of low socio-economic status. Finally, it seems that the government of North Sumatra needs to provide or to encourage the use of lavatory facilities with septic-tanks in every household because it is found that with better lavatory facilities lower IMR's can be expected. The findings also show that the source of drinking water and the presence of lavatory facilities are factors in reducing IMR. Nevertheless, the improvement of maternal education, especially for those with little or no primary school education, and the provision of houses made of good materials could also help to reduce the level of infant mortality in North Sumatra. Show more