Paternal Factors Affecting Child Mortality in Zimbabwe
Author Information
Author(s): Gonah Laston, Sibanda Dumisani, Nomatshilla Sibusiso C
Primary Institution: Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
Hypothesis
What are the paternal social determinants of infant and childhood mortality in Zimbabwe?
Conclusion
Paternal characteristics significantly influence child survival, but they interact with other factors to shape mortality outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- Younger paternal age is linked to higher childhood mortality.
- Lower education levels in fathers correlate with increased child mortality.
- Unemployment among fathers is associated with poorer child survival rates.
- Children in rural areas have higher mortality rates compared to those in urban areas.
- Factors affecting child survival are interconnected and interdependent.
Takeaway
Dads' age, education, and job can affect how likely kids are to survive, but it's not just about them; many things work together.
Methodology
The study used cross-sectional secondary data from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey and applied multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression analyses.
Potential Biases
Interviewer bias was mitigated through training and structured questionnaires, but some data may still be prone to recall bias.
Limitations
The study used existing data which may not have been suited to detect childhood mortality exclusively attributable to parental factors.
Participant Demographics
The study included 5,722 children and 3,887 fathers, with a focus on rural and urban demographics.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.000
Confidence Interval
1.24–1.67
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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