The level and trends of child mortality in South Africa, 1996-2006

• Published in: African population studies Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 159 - 172
• Main Authors: Darikwa, Timotheus B, Dorrington, Rob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: 01.01.2011
• Subjects: South Africa
• ISSN: 0850-5780

The lack of reliable data for child mortality estimation since 1998 has meant that child mortality rates for South Africa have not been updated for almost ten years. This study makes use of the Community Survey data of 2007 and adaptation of the correction to the children ever born/children surviving method suggested by Ward and Zaba (2009) to estimate current rates of infant and child mortality and establishes trends in childhood mortality between 1996 and 2006. The study found that infant mortality rates have been almost constant at around 50 deaths per 1000 live births while under-five mortality rates are found to have increased from just below 70 deaths per 1000 live births in 1996 to around 75 deaths per 1000 live births in 2006.Original Abstract: L'absence de donnees fiables sur l'estimation de la mortalite infantile en Afrique du Sud n'ont pas ete mise a jour depuis presque dix ans a partir de 1998. Notre etude a etablit les estimations sur les taux de mortalite infantile ainsi que la mortalite des enfants de moins de cinq ans. Notre analyse a utilise les donnees de l'Enquete communautaire de 2007, recensement de 2001 et les resultats sur les recherches anterieurs depuis 1996. Les resultats montrent que le taux de mortalite infantile sont restes presque constant, environ 50 deces pour 1000 naissances vivantes tandis que pour moins de cinq le taux de mortalite ont augmente, passant de 70 deces pour 1000 naissances vivants en 1996 a 75 deces pour 1000 naissances vivants en 2006.