Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117774

Monika Sawhney, MSW, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal street, Suite 1900, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-866-4695, msawhne@tulane.edu

Due to relatively low socioeconomic development, child health indicators have remained quite poor in India. Moreover, there exists striking interregional diversity in India. Therefore, India needs to tackle not only the overall poor health status of children, but also the inequality with respect to gender and across different geographic regions. This study aims to (1) identify states that appears to be more successful in improving child health status over time in an efficient manner, (2)study the level and causes of gender inequity at household level. Efficiency scores for 25 Indian states were estimated from state-level data for the years 1998-2001. Child health status was measured by infant mortality rate. Various socioeconomic variables were used as explanatory variables. Fixed effect coefficients for the States were used to rank states in terms of efficiency. Demographic and Health Survey data from India has been used for in-depth analysis to determine level and causes of gender inequity at household level among most efficient and least efficient states. Principal component analysis was used to assess gender inequity related to infant mortality among various socio economic groups across states and over time. Female literacy rate, net state domestic product and over all immunization coverage are significant factors in determining efficiency of states in reducing infant mortality. Kerala and Manipur are found to be the most efficient states, whereas Madhya Pradesh and Orissa turned out to be the least efficient states in terms of their ability to reduce infant mortality, given the resources they have.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participants in this session will be able to

1. List factors associated with gender inequity with respect to over all child health status among various socio economic groups in a developing nation over a period of time. 2. Define health system performance in a way which can be quantified. 3. Articulate the procedure for measuring efficiency in a way which would enable health system performance in different countries to be compared and performance over time within a country to be monitored.
• Develop and improve the evidence base for health policy by devising a method for assessing, measuring and monitoring performance of health systems.

Keywords: Child Health, India

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.