Inter-district Socioeconomic Disparity and Child Health Care in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The study assesses the impact of socioeconomic disparities on child health care in Pakistan using cross-section data of 106 districts for the year 2015. The data has been taken from Bureau Statistics of all provinces and PSLM (2014-15). The study utilizes two determinants of child health i.e. child immunization under 12-23 months and treatment of diarrhea under five. The wealth-based disparity index, health infrastructure index, pre-natal care, mother’s education, housing sanitation and source of safe drinking water are taken as determining factors of the child health. The results indicate that socioeconomic disparities have a negative impact on both measure of child health care. It implies that increase in socioeconomic disparity decreases child immunization and treatment of diarrhea in Pakistan. The health infrastructure, pre-natal care consultation, education of mother, housing sanitation, availability of clean drinking water has significant impact on both measures of child health. The study, therefore, recommends the strategies and means aims at enhancing health the care services and improving socio-economic disparities in the country.