Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 1(3): 82-87, 2009 ISSN: 2040-8773 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2009 Submitted Date: April 21, 2009 Accepted Date: September 24, 2009 Published Date: November 25, 2009 Correspondence Address: Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam Mondal, Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh 82 A Study on the Health Factors of Infant and Child Mortality in Rajshahi, Bangladesh K. Hossain and N.I. Mondal Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the important health factors that influenced infant and child mortality in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. Data have been collected through a structured questionnaire under a project of UNFPA, using purposive sampling technique. Well known statistical tools chi-square (P 2 ) test, and logistic regression are used to analyze the data. The study results reveal that health related variables such as immunization practices, treatment facilities, delivery systems, and regular checkup of mothers and babies health condition among a set of selected variables which affect infant and child mortality. The P 2 -test result implies that immunization practices and mother’s and children’s health checkup, place of maternal delivery and place of treatment are significantly associated with infant and child mortality. Multivariate analysis results are also confirmed the same result as seen in P 2 test evaluation. It is evident from the study that the child had 62.50% lower risk of death who were immunized than that of who were never immunized, and also the risk of infant mortality was 95.10% lower among those who had to take their treatment from a specialist doctor. Therefore, we should give attention to the expansion of public health system in order to reduce the risk of infant and child mortality in Bangladesh. Key words: Neonatal mortality, infant and child mortality, post-neonatal mortality and logistic regression model INTRODUCTION Bangladesh is a densely populated country of 147,570 square kilometers land area (BBS, 2003) with limited natural resources. Her GDP per capita is 2,053 (PPP U$) and the life expectancy at birth for male and female is 63 and 65 years respectively (ESCAP, 2008). Her vast people (161 million) with infant and under five mortality rate is 52 and 68 per thousand live birth (ESCAP, 2008) constitutes a potential resource of labor force for development. Children in Bangladesh continue to lack basic amenities and opportunities of life. One third of the babies are born with low birth weight. About 70% of all children under-five years of age are malnourished and 11% are severely malnourished. One in every 7 children born in Bangladesh dies before their fifth birthday. Although, sanitation coverage has increased significantly, only 40% of the children have access to sanitary latrines (GOB, 2002). Studies on infant and child mortality have been identified, depending upon the cultural content of the population and the mode of analysis, that birth intervals, birth order, age at delivery, educational status, birth weight, antenatal care, socioeconomic conditions of the mother, immunization of the child, and breastfeeding are the most important factors that affect the survival chance of the infant and child. The antenatal care is also an important factor in explaining the differentials in the infant and child mortality. Maternal care is a key behavioral context to influence morbidity control among children and knowledge of how such important indicators as mother’s education and reproductive patterns are associated with the risk of morbidity in children. Zacharia et al. (1984) identified that medical attention at the time of delivery and antenatal care are significant factors in the survival chance of the new born. In 1985, with the beginning of the third five- year plan, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) initiated institutionalization of maternal, and childcare and family planning activities through a phased program on maternal and child health and family planning (MCH-FP) services. The overall goal of the MCH program is to improve the health condition of mother’s and children. Education modifies women’s beliefs about disease causation and care and thus influences both domestic child care practices and the use of modern care services. Caldwell et al. (1983) pointed up that schooling enhances the woman’s knowledge of modern health care facilities and improves her ability to communicate with modern health care. However, despite all these efforts, health care facilities in Bangladesh remain limited and inadequate; besides a lack of health personnel, medicines and other