The under-five mortality rate is a critical health indicator that quantifies the number of deaths among children under five years of age per 1,000 live births, reflecting the child health landscape within a specified timeframe before a survey. For Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), this reference period encompasses the ten years leading up to the survey, while Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) often use a shorter timeframe of three to five years. This metric not only highlights the
effectiveness of healthcare systems in reducing child mortality but also
sheds light on the broader socio-economic factors influencing child health. Monitoring this rate enables governments and organizations to assess progress towards global health targets, plan interventions, and allocate resources more effectively to vulnerable populations.
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