Infant and child mortality in Hunan province of China.

In June 1988 the State Planning Commission of China (SFPC) concluded a 2nd large sample fertility survey among 15-57 year olds with a greater sampling fraction of two thousand population. This paper reports on results from Hunan province for birth cohorts 1975-86 for infant mortality and 1975-82 for child mortality. Infant survival is analyzed by selected demographic factors. Hunan province is described as the 57.8 million (1987 figures) isolated self contained rural agricultural region in which Mao Zedong grew up. In terms of economic development it is ranked in the middle with a 5th rank for agricultural output value and 15th rank for industry (1982 figures). State owned companies offer complete medical coverage for workers and 50% for dependents. Those with no schooling 5 years occurred in the 1st year. Proportionately 88% in birth cohorts 1983-86 were infant deaths which proportion increased while child mortality declined. Increased levels of immunization were considered as a significant factor in the decline. The probability of infant mortality for 3 year birth cohorts between 1975-86 remained stable for males and declined from 61.8 to 54.6 for girls while child mortality probabilities declined for males from 29.2 to 15.6 while girls remained stable or increased. The sex ratio probabilities reflected a female disadvantage on the 1st two cohorts (.92 and .94) and advantage of 1.04 and 1.06 for the last two cohorts. Child mortality probably moved from male disadvantage in 1975-7 (sex ratio 1.37) to advantage in 1978-80) sex ratio .66). Mothers low education and peasant occupation predicted the low survival rate. The likelihood of infant death is greater with prior infant death except for male 2nd children who survive longer. With a girl 1st child a subsequent girl child has a greater chance to die than if it were a boy. However the numbers are not statistically significant.