Spatial Clustering of Infant Mortality in Uttar Pradesh, India

Infant mortality in India has significantly decreased over the past decade. Improvements in educational status, health, wealth and occupation have contributed to this reduction in infant mortality. Despite this decreasing trend, further reduction remains a major concern. Infant mortality serves as a prime indicator of sustainable development goals (SDGs). To accelerate the achievement of these goals, authorities need to focus on the effective deployment of resources. The purpose of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of infant mortality and understand the factors responsible for higher infant mortality rates. The study contains data from 8627 sampling units (as provided in Civil Registration System (CRS) records), representing the number of children born. Infant mortality rates were calculated, and a spatial statistic was used to identify clusters of total infant mortalities in space. A clustered pattern of areas with higher Infant mortality was observed. Hence, prioritizing these areas with higher Infant mortality and considering the responsible factors for interventions is advisable.. KEYWORDS :Spatial, Spatial-temporal, Clustering, Infant mortality.