Socioeconomic Determinants of Infant Mortality in Iranian Children: A Longitudinal Econometrics Analysis

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is one of the main indicators of the general level of health status as well as well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the main components of IMR in Iran from 1967 to 2012 years. Methods and Materials: Using time series data of national level (1967 to 2012 years), we explored the association between Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, number of physician per 1000 populations, female labor force participation rate, percentage of people living in rural regions and mean years schooling for each people with infant mortality rate of Iran. These data were obtained from Central Bank of Islamic Republic of Iran (CBI) data bank and Iranian statistical center. Time series analysis was done for this purpose. This study showed that there are positive relationships between total fertility rate, percentage of people living in rural regions with mortality rate of infant. In addition, IMR had inverse relationships with number of physicians and mean years of schooling. The per capita GDP and female labor force participation rate had not significant correlation with IMR. Many predictors of infant mortality were identified. The total fertility rate, number of physician per 1000 populations, percentage of people living in rural regions and mean years schooling of each people were strongly associated with infant mortality. These findings may be very useful for policy makers that how death of infant can be decreased.