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Project 2c
Migration and Child Survival in
India
Summary
Most developing nations continue to struggle with persistently
high rates of infant and child mortality and morbidity. The existence
of rural-urban child mortality differentials in favour of urban
areas suggests that rural-urban migration can improve childrenÁs
survival chances (Brockerhoff 1994). However, studies investigating
the relationship between migration and child survival in multivariate
frameworks have sometimes found that migration status is not a significant
mortality determinant (Stephenson et. al. 2003). However, once variables
controlling for differences in socioeconomic status and use of health
services between rural-urban migrant and non-migrant groups are
omitted from the models, migration is an important factor explaining
mortality. This finding suggests that the relationship between migration
and mortality is explained by these differences. Other studies have
found that children of female migrants from the countryside generally
have much poorer survival chances than other urban children (Brockerhoff
1995). But it also appears that, in the largest cities at least,
childrenÁs urban survival advantage over rural areas has narrowed
considerably over time (Brockerhoff and Brennan 1998).
A number of studies on child survival focus attention
especially on the role of parents (mothers in particular) as they
are recognised to be the most common caregivers and are likely to
determine compliance with health programs (Finerman 1995). Cultural
and ideological contexts in particular are considered significant
in understanding how parental responsibility, their assessment of
health risks, their social and economic aspirations frame child
survival outcomes (Bledsoe et.al 1988, Scheper-Hughes, 1985, 1987,
Basu 1990, Dasgupta, 1990). In India, for example, such issues are
crucially related to a noted discrimination against girls and female
infanticide (Bose and Shiva, 2003). These studies although not directly
linked to migration per se will provide a critical anthropological
dimension to explore the meanings of migration for children's health
and survival.
This project will investigate some of these issues
for India. It willl draw on both demographic (K.McNay) and anthropological
(M.Unnithan) expertise and perspectives. IndiaÁs two National Family
Health Surveys will provide a useful starting point. One of the
investigators already has experience of working with this material
in a related area (McNay 2003). The surveys will enable us to explore
differences in infant and child mortality by female migration status
and length of stay in the current place of residence. Given the
importance of differences in heath service utilisation between migrant
and non-migrant groups suggested by previous research, we will also
use the surveys to undertake a preliminary investigation of these
differences. These findings will be enhanced by qualitative research
involving a short period of fieldwork in Northwest India at a site
in which previous work on a closely related topic has already been
undertaken by one of the investigators (Unnithan-Kumar, 2003). In
this work she found that the effects of migration on poor rural
women migrants in terms of enhancing their reproductive choices
was not clear cut. The ambivalence of these women to migration as
resulting in enhanced reproductive choice was also reflected in
their poor demographic outcomes compared to the non-migrant rural
poor women.
Key Research Questions
![Dot](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
Does rural-urban migration of the poor
improve infant mortality and child survival? |
![Dot](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
Does increased proximity to a range of health
sevices as a result of rural-urban migration result in better
chances of child survival among the urban poor? |
![Dot](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
How do the survival chances of children
of poor rural female migrants compare with those of poor female
urban non-migrants? |
![Dot](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
What are parental roles in child survival
across migrant and non migrant groups? |
![Dot](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
Do the chances of female infant survival
vary between migrant and non-migrant groups? |
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Key Theme(s)
Health and Education
Type(s) of Migration
Internal
Migration
Region
Bangladesh / South
Asia
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Convenor
Ron
Skeldon
Investigators
Maya
Unnithan (Sussex)
Kirsty
McNay (Oxford)
Key Activities
1. |
A short period of field research in Delhi |
2. |
Statistical analysis |
3. |
A key workshop in Sussex |
Key Outputs
![](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
Working paper, including a policy
briefing, exploring ways to enhance the benefits of
migration for the health of children in poor urban contexts |
![](../../images/general/bullit_6x6_beige.gif) |
Workshop on child health, poverty
and migration |
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