Abstract
This article shows that in Nepal breastfeeding almost completely explains the effects of following birth interval on childhood mortality during the first 18 months of age and partially explains the effect of following birth interval on childhood mortality between 18 and 60 months of age. Breastfeeding does not explain the effect of preceding birth interval on childhood mortality. The analysis is based on an application of hazard models to data from the 1976 Nepal Fertility Survey.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barber, C. R. 1986. Social problems in technological innovation: The case of sanitation in Eastern Nepal. Pp. 245–248 in S. C. Joshi (ed.), Nepal Himalaya: Geo-ecological Perspectives. Naini Tal, India: Himalayan Research Group.
Blaikie, M. P., J. Cameron, and J. D. Seddon. 1979. The Struggle for Basic Needs in Nepal. Paris: Development Center, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Bongaarts, J. 1983. The proximate determinants of natural marital fertility. Pp. 103–138 in R. A. Bulatao and R. D. Lee (eds.), Determinants of Fertility in Developing Countries (Vol. 1). New York: Academic Press.
Choe, M. K., R. D. Retherford, B. B. Gubhaju, and S. Thapa. 1989. Ethnic differentials in early childhood mortality in Nepal. Journal of Biosocial Science 21:223–233.
Cochrane, S. H., D. J. O’Hara, and J. Leslie. 1980. The Effects of Education on Health, Staff Working Paper 405. Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
DaVanzo, J., W. P. Butz, and J. P. Habicht. 1983. How biological and behavioural influences on mortality in Malaysia vary during the first year of life. Population Studies 37:381–402.
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). 1984. Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific, 1984. Bangkok: United Nations.
Goldman, N., A. J. Coale, and M. Weinstein. 1979. TheQualityofData in the Nepal Fertility Survey, Scientific Report 6. London: World Fertility Survey.
Gubhaju, B. B., M. K. Choe, R. D. Retherford, and S. Thapa. 1987. Infant mortality trends and differentials in Nepal. Studies in Family Planning 18:22–31.
Habicht, J. P., J. DaVanzo, and W. P. Butz. 1986. Does breastfeeding really save lives, or are apparent benefits due to biases? American Journal of Epidemiology 123:279–290.
Hobcraft, J., J. W. McDonald, and S. O. Rutstein. 1985. Demographic determinants of infant and early childhood mortality: A comparative analysis. Population Studies 39:363–386.
Mensch, B., H. Lentzner, and S. H. Preston. 1985. Socio-Economk Differentials in Child Mortality in Developing Countries. New York: United Nations, Dept. of International Economic and Social Affairs.
Nepal Central Bureau of Statistics. 1984. Statistical Pocket Book, Nepal 1984. Kathmandu: Central Bureau of Statistics.
Nepal FP/MCH Project. 1977. Nepal Fertility Survey 1976: First Report. Kathmandu: Ministry of Health.
Palloni, A., and S. Millman. 1986. Effects of inter-birth intervals and breastfeeding on infant and early childhood mortality. Population Studies 40:215–236.
Pebley, A. R., and P. W. Stupp. 1986. Reproductive patterns and child mortality in Guatemala. Demography 24:43–60.
Thapa, S., and R. D. Retherford. 1982. Infant mortality estimates based on the 1976 Nepal Fertility Survey. Population Studies 36:61–80.
Tuma, N. B., and M. T. Hannan. 1984. Social Dynamics. Orlando, Fla.: Academic Press.
World Bank. 1983. World Tables (Vol. 2): Social Data (3rd ed.). Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press.
—. 1987. World Development Report, 1987. New York: Oxford University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Retherford, R.D., Choe, M.K., Thapa, S. et al. To what extent does breastfeeding explain Birth-interval effects on early childhood mortality?. Demography 26, 439–450 (1989). https://doi.org/10.2307/2061603
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2061603