Determinants of under–five mortality in south–eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Under–five mortality is a major public health indicator hence its inclusion among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Identifying the determinants of under–five mortality is a major step in tackling under–five mortality. While it is important to determine factors that affect under–five mortality at the national level, is it also very important to disaggregate data to determine the peculiarities and differences at the geopolitical zones. This zoomed into the South–eastern geo–political zone of Nigeria. Methods: This was a population based cross–sectional study. Secondary data of the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was analyzed. Though the NDHS was a nationally representative study, only data from the South–east geo–political zone was included in analysis. The aim of the study was to identify determinants of under–five mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were carried out. Results: This study revealed several determinants of under–five mortality in the South–east geo–political zone of Nigeria. Children who reside in Anambra state had lower odds of under–five mortality compared with the children who reside in the four states. The following factors reduced the odds of under–five mortality: female gender, maternal education, maternal age less than 35years, maternal use of modern family planning, family belonging to the middle and rich wealth index. Conclusions: this study has identified important risk factors that should be considered in the formulation of policies that combat under–five mortality in the South–east geo–political zone of Nigeria.