Differential Pattern in Child Mortality Rate in Rural Nigeria

A country’s socioeconomic condition and quality of life is reflected in the rate of child mortality in that country. This paper examined the differentials in child mortality rate across socioeconomic, demographic and selected health characteristics in rural Nigeria, employing the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey data. Analysis of health attributes and morbidity pattern of mother and child revealed that most of the respondents did not have access to good health facilities and antenatal care. As a result, more than three-quarters of the respondents delivered their babies at home and had less than 24 months birth interval between pregnancies. Results showed that child mortality rate was highest among illiterate mothers, mothers without a source of income, under aged women (less than 20 years) and among fathers whose primary livelihood lie in agriculture. Regional analysis showed that the North-Western zone had the highest child mortality rate followed by the North-Eastern zone, while the South-South zone had the lowest. With respect to health attributes, children delivered at home, who were never breastfed and of multiple births had high mortality rates. Gender differentials showed that the rate of mortality was higher for male than for female children but lowest for children who had been fully immunized and whose mothers were aged between 21 and 30 years. Consequently, the design and implementation of policies, projects, and programmes that give priority to essential maternal and child care should be of main concern, if there is to be any improvement in the quality of life of the Nigerian child.