The Prevalence and Determinants of Under-Five Mortality in Benue State, Nigeria

This study examines the prevalence, and the socioeconomic anddemographic determinants of under-five mortality in Benue State, Nigeria. Using apurposive random sampling technique, a total of 1,500 questionnaires were administeredto women aged 15 to 49 years and who have ever given birth in 30 communities from 10sampled local government areas in the state. In addition, focus group discussions andkey informant interviews formed sources of data for this research. The analysis of datawas carried out using descriptive statistics, child survival analysis, and probitregression model. The pattern of the prevalence of infant and child mortality showedthat there are three major child killers in the study area: malaria (38.2%),complications at birth (29.5%), and measles (16.9%). The survival probability resultsshow that children born to parents living in an urban area have more chances (72.6%) ofsurvival, as against 71.4% for children born to parents living in a rural area. Theprobit regression analysis showed that the pregnancies ever had by the mothers has agreater marginal effect on child survival (6.7%) than the current age of mothers atbirth (3.7%) and the age of mother at marriage (0.9%). Based on the findings,recommendations such as empowerment and education of mothers are suggested