Changing Levels and Patterns of Under-five Mortality: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (Changing Levels and Under-five Mortality)
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This study examined the levels and patterns of under-five
mortality in Nigeria within 2003-2013 using the Nigeria Demographic and
Health Survey datasets for this period. In the study the mortality trends was
related to some socioeconomic and health variables to explain factors that
could have contributed to mortality changes. The descriptive approach
through the use of tables and charts was adopted in the analysis. Results
show that under-five mortality rate had declined from 187 in 2003 to 128 in
2013 (i.e., a decline of 32 percent). Under-five mortality declined with
increase in mothers’ education especially among mothers with less than
secondary education. During the ten-year period, children who had DPT3
increased from 10.4 percent to 22 percent. Households who drank water
from safer sources increased from 14.4 percent to 49.7 percent for urban
areas and 2.3 percent to 32.7 percent in rural areas. Childhood diarrhea
incidence declined by 45.2 percent. The study concluded that decline in
under-five mortality may be attributed to improved immunization, safer
water sources, and reduced incidence of childhood diarrhea. This study,
therefore, recommended that both the national and state governments of
Nigeria should intensify efforts to increase childhood immunization
coverage, provide more communities and households with safe drinkable
water in order to drastically reduce diarrhea diseases – a major cause of
deaths in children. This will help to accelerate the decline in under-five
mortality rate in the country.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General)