title: Child health, breast-feeding, and survival in Malaysia:  a random-effects logit approach.
abstract: This study examines the possibility that estimation of the effect of breast-feeding on infant survival is affected by selection bias, in that children who are healthier at birth may be more likely to be breast-fed.  Data are from the 1976 Malaysian Family Life Survey. "Ordinary logit models for breast-feeding and survival are estimated, and the results suggest that selection is indeed present.  For example, children of higher birth weight appear to be more likely to be breast-fed and likely to survive.  In addition, weight at birth and the duration of breast-feeding appear to be linked."  Using birth weight as an indicator for the child's health, the authors conclude that "the direct influence of breast-feeding on survival remains of overwhelming importance even after corrections for selection bias are made."
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D015982:Bias; D001695:Biology; D001724:Birth Weight; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002669:Child Welfare; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D006262:Health; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008296:Malaysia; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009026:Mortality; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010827:Physiology; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Asia; Bias; Biology; Birth Weight; Body Weight; Breast Feeding; Child Health; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Error Sources; Health; Infant Mortality; Infant Nutrition; Malaysia; Mathematical Model; Measurement; Models, Theoretical; Mortality; Nutrition; Physiology; Population; Population Dynamics; Research Methodology; Research Report; Southeastern Asia