Social and Economic Determinants of Child Health: The Case Study of Pakistan

Abstract

This study used cross sectional data from Pakistan demographic health survey (DHS) 2006- 2007 to determine the social and economic determinants of child health in Pakistan. The sample of children under five (0-4) years is taken. The DHS sample is taken from different regions of Pakistan which is divided into rural and urban areas. Logistic regression technique is used to measure the coefficients of the model. This study revealed that the male children are more likely to be indulged into diseases as compared to female children. Results showed that there are fewer chances for a child to become ill if the household head is male. The study indicated that child sex, household head gender, size of child at birth, region and place of residence affect child health in Pakistan. Whereas the variables like wealth status, mother education, twin children and source of drinking water do not affect the child health under five years. Measures should be taken to reduce the risk of child morbidity by reducing the pollution and by giving proper vaccination.

Keywords: Child health, Logistic regression technique, Pakistan demographic health survey, social and economic determinants.

JEL classification Codes: I1, I110.