Prasanta Mahapatra, President, The Institute of Health Systems, Ground Floor, HACA Bhavan, Hyderabad, 500004, India, Samatha Panati, Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, 181, North Hampton Street, Apt 2, Boston, MA 02118, 857-204-5076, spanati@bu.edu, and Pushpa Latha, The ICFAI University, 52, Nagarjuna Hills, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, 500082, India.

The Infant Mortality Rate is a sensitive indicator of infant’s health, population health as well as socio-economic development. In addition, Infant Mortality Rate is a sensitive indicator of the availability, utilization and effectiveness of health care, particularly perinatal care. The analysis is based on secondary data and corresponding mortality estimates. The estimates from Sample Registration System, Census, and National Family Health Survey are used to analyze the trend of Infant Mortality Rate in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Infant Mortality Rate of the state registered a consistent decline from 110-120 in 1970s to 66-70 in 1990s. But wide variation between and within districts remain. Rural urban differences in mortality have either remained as such or may have increased. Socioeconomic conditions and female literacy rate play a key role in reducing Infant Mortality Rate. Household standard of living and better infrastructure development of an area appears to be associated with lower Infant Mortality Rate. Mothers age at birth and closely spaced births are important risk factors for infant mortality. Large disparities in health status of people in the state continue to exist. The health status in rural areas seems to be deteriorating over the past decade. Small area mortality analysis would enable the state to identify areas requiring development. This would facilitate area plans that may reduce inequality in health status and spread socioeconomic development.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the contributing factors for the disparities in the Infant Mortality Rate
• Discuss the need for small area mortality analyses to facilitate program planning
• Recognize the need for over all socio economic development to attain equitable health status

Keywords: Infant Mortality, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Institute of Health Systems
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.