title: Ecological context of infant mortality in high-focus states of India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This goal of this study was to shed light on the ecological context as a potential determinant of the infant mortality rate in nine high-focus states in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Annual Health Survey (2010-2011), the Census of India (2011), and the District Level Household and Facility Survey 3 (2007-08) were used in this study. In multiple regression analysis explanatory variable such as underdevelopment is measured by the non-working population, and income inequality, quantified as the proportion of households in the bottom wealth quintile. While, the trickle-down effect of education is measured by female literacy, and investment in health, as reflected by neonatal care facilities in primary health centres.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A high spatial autocorrelation of district infant mortality rates was observed, and ecological factors were found to have a significant impact on district infant mortality rates. The result also revealed that non-working population and income inequality were found to have a negative effect on the district infant mortality rate. Additionally, female literacy and new-born care facilities were found to have an inverse association with the infant mortality rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions at the community level can reduce district infant mortality rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematical Demography and Statistics, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Laishram
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ladusingh
authors.affiliation: Population Council, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ashish Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Awdhesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yadav
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D046688:Child Mortality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004463:Ecology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D000067010:Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Ecological; India; Infant mortality; Spatial analysis