Sociocultural Practices in Relation to IMR in Rajasthan and is Rajasthan on Track of MGD-4 by 2015

To assess the associations between various socio-cultural indicators of health-related resources and coverage, and variations in infant mortality rates (IMR) in state of Rajasthan between 2001 and 2008 and to determine whether Rajasthan is on track to achieve MDG-4 on time.

Data were obtained from the DLHS-2 and 3 surveys. Logistics regressions were performed to assess evidences of association between child mortality and studied variables and significantly associated variables on p-value 0.05 or lower were analysed for their significance by using multiple logistic regressions.

At P-value 0.05 or lower in regression analysis religion of household head, residing in rural area in comparison to urban, poor socio-economic status, type of house (in Kaccha House), low maternal education, age of first delivery before 18year (for infant and 1–5Y only), number of ANC visit less than three and site of delivery (Home delivery) have shown the evidence of association with child hood mortality particularly in neonatal and infant periods. On other hand sex of child, caste of household head, possession of BPL card, husband's education, age at marriage, antenatal advices on family planning, breast feeding, injection TT, duration of breastfeeding and knowledge about diarrhoea and pneumonia has shown no evidence of association with early childhood mortality.

This study concludes that Rajasthan is not “on track” to meet the Millennium Development Goal 4. To achieve the MDG-4 on time would require extraordinary efforts which involves a good ownership at all level and concrete coordination among all concern partner departments and agencies.