Provincial Disparities of Under-five Mortality in Thailand - ความแตกต่างในระดับจังหวัดของการตายเด็กอายุต่ำกว่า 5 ปี

Abstract

         The mortality among children in Thailand has been improving. Infant and under-five mortality rates are now at quite a low level. However, disparities in child mortality among different areas still exist in Thailand. The objectives of this study were studying the situation of child mortality at provincial level and exploring factors that associate to those mortalities. The data used in this study were provincial data from Thailand Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. The indirect estimation of child mortality using Trussell version of Brass indirect method was applied in this study. Results from this study showed that the under-five mortality rates (U5MR) of 24 from 26 sample provinces were in the range of 4.8 (95%CI 4.1, 5.5) -37.1 (95%CI 29.1, 35.1) per 1,000 live births. The lowest U5MR was found in Ratchaburi Province while the highest U5MR was found in Narathiwat Province. It was also found that these U5MRs had negative relationship to vaccine coverage in each province (r = -0.413, p < 0.05). Thus, to reduce child mortality, any vaccination campaigns should be continued in order that all infants and children especially those who are vulnerable groups receive fully immunization.

Key words: mortality disparities, under-five mortality