This indicator provides a critical measure of the health and well-being of infants within a given population, calculated as the number of deaths among children under one year of age per 1,000 live births. It draws on data from various surveys, with historical reference periods influencing the calculations—typically spanning the last ten years for Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and varying between three to five years for Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). Monitoring infant mortality rates is essential not only for assessing healthcare effectiveness and identifying public health challenges but also for informing policy improvements and resource allocations aimed at enhancing maternal and child health services. Fluctuations in this rate can signal broader socio-economic issues, making it an invaluable indicator for tracking development progress and ensuring equitable health outcomes.
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