Children at Risk: Infant and Child Health in Central Asia

Cynthia Buckley, University of Texas at Austin

Using Demographic and Health Surveys, government statistics, and field observations we examine the trends in infant and child health in Uzbekistan, Kazakstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. Health indicators (mortality, diarrhea and respiratory illness, and stunting) for the population under the age of 5 are examined nationally, regionally and for ethnic groups. Findings indicate increasing child mortality, persistently high rates of diarrhea and respiratory illness, and substantial rates of stunting. Rural residence is a significant risk factor for negative health outcomes, outweighing effects of parity or sex. Strong ethnic differences emerge in the use of traditional versus modern disease treatment for children, but not in prevalence of illness. Findings highlight the social costs of transition, illustrate the significant demands on the public health sector in this region, and assist in the identification of groups at highest risk for poor child health.