Internal migration and child health in Turkey

Sabahat Tezcan, Hacettepe University
Mehmet Ali Eryurt, Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies

This study examines the influence of internal migration on child health, specifically child mortality in Turkey. Data from the 2003 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey reveals that the probability of dying before completing the fifth birthday is 37 per 1,000 live births for the national level. However child mortality rates exhibit large variations among urban-rural residents and migrants-nonmigrants. The survival chance of the children of urban native women is 2.4 times more than those of rural native women and 1.6 times more than children of rural to urban migrants. Antenatal and delivery care, vaccination and nutritional status of children under 5 displayed similar pattern among migrants and natives. This situation makes us think that women’s access to medical care, such as antenatal and delivery care, variates by place of residence and migratory status. Combining both medical and social approaches the study intends to gain a substantive medico-social understanding of key factors affecting child mortality.