Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: The study aimed at contributing to the improvement of life-table methods by addressing the question of the age pattern of infant and child mortality when the level of mortality is relatively high. Patterns and levels of mortality in the first five years of life were estimated from birth histories recorded in the National Family and Health Survey of India. The Weibull function, Hartmann's logarithmic approximation formula, and the Mode & Busby model were selected for further analysis. Sample bias and reporting errors are discussed. Various mortality differentials were estimated directly and using the selected mortality models. Especially the Weibull function and the logarithmic approximation function were found to be useful tools in capturing detailed (underlying) age patterns, Inter- and extrapolation also gave good results. Keywords: infant mortality, child mortality, mathematical model, life table analysis.

Eng.