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Mediation

Parental Education and Under-5 Mortality in Bangladesh

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from the University of Canberra investigated the effect of parental education on under-5 mortality in Bangladesh, finding an inconsistent and weakening mediated effect. The study, conducted using data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey from 2011, 2014, and 2017-18, found that while parental education had a negative impact on under-5 mortality, the effect reduced over time and changed direction in 2017-18. The study suggests that improving the quality of education and antenatal care could be more effective in reducing under-5 mortality to achieve the sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.2.1.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a weakening and inconsistent mediated effect of both parents' education on under-5 mortality in Bangladesh.
  • The direct effect of education on under-5 mortality reduced over time, while the indirect effect increased and became positive in 2017-18.
  • The total (parallel and sequential combined) mediated effects of either parent's education on under-5 mortality were negative in 2011, but positive in 2017-18.
  • The total effect of education on under-5 mortality was negative and significant in 2011, but reduced and changed direction in 2017-18.
  • The study suggests that improving the quality of education and antenatal care could be more effective in reducing under-5 mortality.
  • Updating the school curriculum with a greater emphasis on maternal and child health education and strictly monitoring the mandatory use of antenatal care cards are recommended to improve the quality of education and antenatal care, respectively.

Statistics:

  • Sample sizes for the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data from 2011, 2014, and 2017-18 were 4,658, 4,367, and 4,826, respectively.
  • Estimated indirect effects for the indirect parallel and sequential pathways revealed inconsistent parallel and sequential mediation of parental education's effect across the three surveys.
  • The total effect of education on under-5 mortality was negative and significant in 2011, but reduced and changed direction in 2017-18.
  • The proportion of the mediated effect of either parent's education in 2011 was approximately 50%, but greater than 100% in 2014 and 2017-18, except for the proportion of the mediated effect of father's education in 2014.
  • The study found that the effects decreased and changed direction to become positive (increased under-5 mortality risk) in 2017-18.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Canberra Discuss Research in Public Health (From parental education to under-5 mortality: how antenatal care and hand hygiene mediate the pathway mechanisms). Health & Medicine Week. June 20, 2025; p 4550.
  • From parental education to under-5 mortality: how antenatal care and hand hygiene mediate the pathway mechanisms. BMC Public Health, 2025,25(1):1-25. (BMC Public Health - http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)

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