Determinants of Under-five Mortality in South Africa: Results from a Cross-Sectional Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Under-five mortality remains a public health challenge in South Africa and other developing countries where children are likely to die before reaching five years. This paper aimed to identify factors associated with under-five mortality in South Africa taking into account clustering using the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey data. Survival analysis techniques were used to understand under-five mortality and its determinants. Frailty models incorporating family and community frailty effects were implemented. The results revealed that preceding birth interval, birth type, breastfeeding and dwelling unit type were significant determinants of under-five mortality. The findings further confirmed that children belonging to the same family and children belonging to the same community shared certain unobserved characteristics that put them at risk of death.