Socioeconomic Inequalities in Child Mortality: a Comparison between Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslims

Abstract

This study aims to explore under-five mortality rates (U5MR) in Buddhists and Muslims in terms of levels and trends as well as the gaps in U5MR across the range of socioeconomic status (SES). The 2000 census was used to estimate U5MR using indirect demographic methods. SES was measured using principal component analysis. The results show that during 1986-1997, U5MR for Muslims were remarkably higher than for Buddhists. The rates decreased substantially about 58% for Buddhists, while smaller reductions in U5MR of about 32 % appeared for Muslims. The variations in U5MR in both religious groups correspond with SES. Children belonging to rich households were more likely to enjoy lower death rates than their counterparts in poorer households. Inequalities in U5MR across SES were larger in Muslims than Buddhists. Untimely deaths need to be reduced in the Muslims, particularly children belonging to poor households.