Under-five child mortality in Bangladesh: Classical and Bayesian approaches to Cox proportional hazard model

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of under-five child mortality in Bangladesh using the data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2011 and 2014. Product-Limit method and Log-Rank test have been used for bivariate analysis. Cox proportional hazard model has been employed under both classical and Bayesian approaches. Cox regression analysis reveals that region (Barisal and Sylhet), maternal education (higher education), mother’s membership of NGO have significant impact on child mortality. The results obtained using Bayesian Cox PH model are almost similar except one key finding. Under Bayesian analysis, child’s size at birth appeared as potential determinant of under-five mortality whereas it has insignificant effect on child survival when classical Cox model has been applied.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 30(1&2): 45-54, December-2017