Trends and Gender Disparities of Child Mortality in Haryana state, India

Child mortality rates are very high in India even higher than neighbouring countries. Different states of the country have extreme differences in child mortality as health facilities are responsibility of state Governments. The present study has been carried out to analyse the trends and patterns of child mortality in Haryana state for the period of a decade from year 2008 to 2017 by collecting the data from sample registration system. These trends of child mortality were analysed using two major indicators i.e. under 5 mortality rates and infant mortality rates. Differentials in child mortality by residence and sex were also studied. Haryana state has shown effective fall in child mortality during study period in form of U5MR as well as IMR. The state has shown a decrease in U5MR by 46% and IMR by 44% during ten years period of study. High child mortality rates in rural areas of Haryana have been reported while comparing with urban areas. Residential gaps in U5MR and IMR in Haryana have been reduced by 50 and 53% respectively. While considering the gender disparities in child mortality, female child mortality rates were higher than male in U5MR as well as IMR. The gender gap in IMR has been reduced significantly (50%), however this reduction was not satisfactory in U5MR indicating the need of more emphasis on gender equality awareness programs.