The Effect of Fertility Behavior on Child Survival: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Surveys, 2012–2022

The study utilizes data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2012 and 2022, covering 84 surveys from various countries. Literature review reveals that preceding birth-to-pregnancy interval, maternal age, and birth order are significant factors influencing child survival. The study aims to investigate the impact of these factors on child mortality, controlling for other variables such as maternal education, wealth, and access to healthcare. The study employs a multivariate analysis approach, using a pooled dataset of 84 DHS surveys. The dependent variable is child mortality, and the independent variables include preceding birth-to-conception interval, maternal age at birth, birth order, and maternal fertility-related risk factors. Univariate analysis reveals that children born to mothers with a shorter preceding birth-to-conception interval, older maternal age, and higher birth order have a higher risk of mortality. The study also finds that maternal fertility-related risk factors, such as short birth intervals and high parity, are associated with increased child mortality. Multivariate analysis, controlling for other variables, confirms the findings of the univariate analysis. The study finds that a shorter preceding birth-to-conception interval, older maternal age, and higher birth order are significant predictors of child mortality. Additionally, maternal fertility-related risk factors, such as short birth intervals and high parity, are associated with increased child mortality. The study also examines the impact of maternal fertility-related risk factors on child mortality, using a simplified model. The results show that maternal fertility-related risk factors, such as short birth intervals and high parity, are significant predictors of child mortality, even after controlling for other variables. The study's findings have implications for child survival programs and policies. The results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing child mortality should focus on improving maternal health, increasing access to family planning services, and promoting healthy fertility behaviors. The study's data covers 84 DHS surveys, conducted between 2012 and 2022, and includes information on child mortality, maternal age, birth order, and maternal fertility-related risk factors. The study's results are presented in tables and figures, providing a comprehensive overview of the relationship between fertility behavior and child survival. The study's methodology involves a multivariate analysis approach, using a pooled dataset of 84 DHS surveys. The study controls for other variables, such as maternal education, wealth, and access to healthcare, to examine the impact of fertility behavior on child survival. The study's findings have implications for child survival programs and policies, highlighting the need for interventions aimed at improving maternal health, increasing access to family planning services, and promoting healthy fertility behaviors. The study's results provide a valuable contribution to the existing literature on child survival and fertility behavior.