Disparity in injury morbidity and mortality among one-four year children- findings from bangladesh health and injury survey: implication for developing countries

M Sheikh Giashudddin, Center for Injury Prevention and Research Bangladesh
A Rahman, Institute of Child and Mother Health
AKM Fazlur Rahman, Center for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB)

The aim of this study is to investigate the socioeconomic inequality in injury related morbidity and mortality among 1- 4 years children. A multistage cluster sampling technique was conducted for this survey. In this study quintiles were calculated on the basis of assets and wealth score by use of principle component analysis. The poorest-richest quintiles ratio due to injury mortality was 6.0 whereas this ratio was 5.6 and 5.5 for the infectious and non-communicable diseases. Similarly, the ratio of poorest-richest quintile in terms of illness, cause of injury was the highest ratio. The ratio of injury related illness of 1-4 years children between poor and rich was 1.7 whereas infectious and non-communicable disease was 1.2 and 1.6 respectively. Among the children, drowning, burn and unintentional poisoning injuries morbidity were 3.8, 3.2 and 1.5 time more for most disadvantaged than the better off. Diarrhoea and pneumonia were 2.1 and 1.1 times more for the poorest than the richest quintiles. Electrocution was another cause of childhood morbidity as well as mortality. The odd ratio occurring an injury related morbidity for poorest quintiles than the richest was 1.3 (95% CI=1.04-1.62). However, the odd ratio of occurring an injury related death for poorest quintiles than the richest was 2.58 (95% CI=0.79-8.5). The children of poorest family suffered more in injury morbidity and mortality than the children of rich family. Due to existing socioeconomic situation in Bangladesh, the poor children are more vulnerable to injury morbidity and mortality the percentage of disabled are much higher in this group as compare to rich group.