Table 3 Linear mixed effect regression analysis results for IMR, 2008 sub-divided into the WHO framework for the building blocks of a health system (n = 136 countries)

I. Human health resources

Nursing/midwife density (per 10,000 population)

0.82 (0.71, 0.94)

-

Physician density (per 1,000 population)

0.72 (0.63, 0.83)

0.81 (0.71, 0.91)

II. Health service coverage

% Of population with sustainable access to water and sanitation (for a 10% increase)

0.74 (0.68, 0.80)

0.85 (0.78, 0.93)

% Of births attended by skilled staff

0.28 (0.20, 0.39)

-

III. Medical products, vaccines and technology

% Measles immunization coverage

0.71 (0.52, 0.98)

-

IV. Health financing

Total health expenditure per person (USD)

0.74 (0.67, 0.82)

-

Out-of-pocket expenditure on health (as a % of total health expenditure)

1.60 (1.28, 2.01)

1.29 (1.03, 1.62)

Government health expenditure (USD)

0.65 (0.58, 0.71)

-

Private share of total health expenditure (%)

1.01 (1.00, 1.02)

-

V. Leadership and governance

Corruption index (log of)

0.37 (0.26, 0.53)

0.57 (0.40, 0.80)

Demographic variables

Fertility rate (average number of children per woman)

3.07 (2.04, 4.62)

-

Population growth value (annual %)

1.20 (1.01, 1.43)

-

Urban population value (annual %)

1.26 (1.12, 1.43)

-

Female labour force participation (%)

1.00 (0.99, 1.01)

-