Which factor is associated with infant mortality rates?

Which factor is associated with infant mortality rates?

• A. Average rainfall
• B. Education level
• C. Urbanization
• D. Whether mothers have access to good healthcare and nutrition

Answer: (D)

Infant survival in the first year is most strongly tied to whether mothers and babies have access to good healthcare and proper nutrition. When pregnant women receive prenatal care, have skilled help at delivery, and get postnatal checkups, potential problems are identified and managed early, reducing the risk of infant complications and death. Adequate nutrition supports healthy birth weight, strong immune function, and better recovery after birth, all of which directly lower infant mortality. Other factors can influence health in smaller or more indirect ways. Rainfall affects food security and living conditions, but it doesn’t directly determine whether an infant survives. Education can improve health practices and service use, yet the direct driver of reducing infant mortality is access to healthcare and nutrition. Urbanization can improve access in some places but isn’t universally linked to lower infant mortality like direct healthcare and nutrition access.

Infant survival in the first year is most strongly tied to whether mothers and babies have access to good healthcare and proper nutrition. When pregnant women receive prenatal care, have skilled help at delivery, and get postnatal checkups, potential problems are identified and managed early, reducing the risk of infant complications and death. Adequate nutrition supports healthy birth weight, strong immune function, and better recovery after birth, all of which directly lower infant mortality.

Other factors can influence health in smaller or more indirect ways. Rainfall affects food security and living conditions, but it doesn’t directly determine whether an infant survives. Education can improve health practices and service use, yet the direct driver of reducing infant mortality is access to healthcare and nutrition. Urbanization can improve access in some places but isn’t universally linked to lower infant mortality like direct healthcare and nutrition access.