• Skip to main content
• Access keys help

Home

Explore the BBC

This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

16 October 2014

	BBC Homepage Scotland Education Scotland Intermediate Geography
»	Development Physical Factors Human Factors Social Indicators Economic Indicators Health Malaria Cholera Developed Lifestyles Weblinks Users Revision
	Contact Us

A High Infant Mortality Rate A high infant mortality rate is a good indication that a country is a developing nation. Why is this? Put the puzzle together to understand the wider picture. Choose the pieces of the puzzle that you think contribute to a high infant mortality rate. There are six correct pieces to select. Simply click the buttons to choose each piece of the puzzle. Poor medical care – If there are no medicines to cure illnesses the number of infants dying can start to increase. No day care – With no proper day care working mothers can’t keep a proper eye on their children. Disease – Children are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of disease. Disease is a major killer of the young in developing countries. Genetics – Children in developing countries are genetically more likely to die young. Few doctors – If a child becomes ill in rural areas the nearest doctor may be many kilometres away. Control measures – Parents will only look after the strongest of their children and let the weakest fend for themselves. Poor nutrition – Poor families can’t afford enough food to go around. Hunger and poor diet is a major killer. Accidents – Developing countries don’t have safety regulations. As such more children die from accidental causes. Superstition – People in developing countries have their own customs for treating the ill and refuse to use modern medicines. Natural disasters/war – War and natural disasters affect everyone in a country or region young and old alike Cultural – In many developing countries, girls marry and have children at a young age. This can affect the health of their babies. Medical policy – Doctors in developing countries refuse to treat very young patients. As a result a lot of children that are ill die.

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy