Factors affecting infant mortality rates in Turkey: A geographical region analysis

The primary aim of the study is to reveal socio-economic factors that may have an effect on infant mortality rates. For this purpose, the development of infant mortality rates in the historical process has been examined and its importance in development goals has been put forward. Factors affecting infant mortality rates were evaluated and empirical analyzes were performed according to the level of development of countries and factors the most affecting infant mortality rates were determined. The reasons for the differences in infant mortality rate data sets are presented. Infant, neonatal and postneonatal mortality rates were investigated according to the First Level of Statistical Regions prepared by Turkish Statistical Institute. The infant mortality rate in Turkey is subject to the classification of regional discrimination has been revealed that the structure of infant mortality is similar to the situation in developed countries. The socio-economic factors impact on infant mortality are estimated by using panel data method and data of each provinces in Turkey for 2009-2014 period. According to the results of the study, infant mortality rate is mostly affected by the age factors which represent age of marriage of women and men. In addition, size of household is one of the factors affecting infant mortality rate. The number of persons per physicians and midwife are significant variables affecting the infant mortality rate. Education of women, as a education factor, is one of the important factors reducing the infant mortality rate. In this study, it was revealed that the marriages in middle ages and the education of women were the most influential variables in decreasing infant mortality rates.