Socioeconomic Determinants of Inequalities in Under-five Mortality in Nigeria: Analysis of Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Data
Nigeria has one of the highest under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the world. This mortality is unevenly distributed across the country. This uneven distribution of U5MR may be influenced by household socioeconomic status, maternal education, access to preventive healthcare services and geographical location. The objectives of the study were to estimate the magnitude of socioeconomic inequality in U5MR and to decompose the determinants of this inequality.
METHODS:
A nationally representative sample of 28,647 children of 18,028 mothers aged 15 – 49 years, from 886 communities were obtained from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 1999, 2003 and 2008. Concentration index was used to estimate the magnitude of inequalities in U5MR while, regression technique was used to decompose the relative contribution of socioeconomic factors to inequalities in U5MR. Analysis was done on ADePT statistical software.
RESULTS:
The results showed U5MR was 108.9 per 1000 live births. This was highest in the lowest wealth quintile (131.9) compared to the highest wealth quintile (69.4). Similarly, mother’s educational status influences child mortality with U5MR among those with no formal education being 122.7; compared to those with tertiary education [ 72.9]. Furthermore, rural households had higher U5MR [118.1]; compared to urban [87.2]. Moreover, the north-east geopolitical zone had the most U5MR [122]; while the south-west had the least ]88.7]. The analysis revealed U5MR was more concentrated among the poor with a concentration index of -0.1188 (SE 0.0009). The relative contributions of socioeconomic factors were household wealth index (77%); maternal education (2.5%); residence (2.5%) and geopolitical zone (0.8%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Eradicating extreme poverty and improving household wealth would enhance child health and reduce U5MR in Nigeria.
Keywords: U5MR, inequalities, concentration index, decomposition