Intercensal infant and child mortality levels in Zimbabwe between 1992 and 2002

Micah Katuruza, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus
Moses Kibet, North-West University, South Africa

Analysis of the Zimbabwe 1992 and 2002 household censuses reveal significant inter-provincial and district variations in infant and child mortality levels. The results show intercensal increases in infant and child mortality; which were attributed to exogenous community, household and child level factors. There were also considerable urban-rural differentials in infant and child mortality. Infants and children born in urban areas had lower mortality than those in rural areas. The child survivorship “age” method was applied to household census data collected from Brass-type questions on information on CEB and dead of respondent women in reproductive ages. The probabilities of dying between birth and exact ages were based on INDEPTH Network model life tables. These life tables provide accurate mortality schedules for childhood mortality patterns in sub-Saharan Africa and account for the generalized impact of the AIDS epidemic. The new estimates on infant and child mortality rates are higher than official statistics.