Objectives: This study aims to explore the infant and child mortality rates in relation to (i) a
range of conventional covariates including household characteristics, literacy rates, cultural
and social factors, treatment method, mother’s history like preceding birth interval between
children & multiple births and provision of facilities like electricity, safe water and sanitation
etc. (ii) some policy variables like health facilities related to cesarean section and women
empowerment related to health which is a very nascent concept in public health literature.
Methods: The study design is cross-sectional which exploits the latest Demographic Health
Surveys from the selected South Asian countries including Pakistan (2012), Bangladesh
(2011) India (2012) and Nepal (2011). The Cox’s proportional hazard model is used to
establish the factors that affect the infant and child mortality. Conclusion: The results of the
study support the argument of health interventions in the region that should be designed to
reach the most undeserved: women and children. More specifically, we recommend particular
focus on better cesarean section method of delivery and women empowerment in health
related issues.