Exploring biodemographic risk factors in pretransitional infant mortality

Clara E. Garcia-Moro, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Mireia Esparza, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Marta Muñoz Tudurí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

One way to elucidate the role of different factors in the decline of mortality during the epidemiological transition process, is by means of the analysis of the determinant factors of the high rates of infant mortality in the past. The focus of this work is to analyze these risk factors for infant mortality in a pretransitional population (Es Mercadal, Minorca, 1634-1875). Data used in the present analysis was obtained through a family reconstitution process, which enabled us to set up vital events for 1510 descendants of women with reproductive history reconstructed. In the analysis were considered, in addition of different maternal factors, some biodemographic covariates such as sex, season of birth, consanguinity, cohort of birth, etc. Logistic regression analysis was applied in order to evaluate risk factors of neonatal, postneonatal and infant mortality. Results are discussed regarding the relevance of those covariates in each stage of the infant mortality.