CAUSES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF INFANT MORTALITY: A CASE STUDY OF OREDO L.G.A OF EDO STATE (2009-2014)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In the 21st century more than 10 million children less than 5 years old die each year.  Most of these deaths are from preventable and treatable conditions, and almost all deaths are in poor countries.  Of these 10 million deaths, eight million are infants, half of who are newborns in their first month of life.  High proportions (40%) of deaths in children less than 5 years occur in the first month of life, and 30% during their first week.  Infant and child mortality rates vary among world regions, and these differences are large and increasing.  In 1990, in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) there were 180 deaths per 1000 live births, and only 9 deaths per 1000 live births in industrialized countries, that is a 20-fold difference.  In 2000, SSA had a mortality rate of 175 deaths per 1000 children and 6 deaths per 1000 children in industrialized countries, an increase to 29-fold difference. For the past three decades, significant progress has been made towards the reduction of infant mortality rates in third world countries.  As a result between 1960 and 1993 in the Arab states infant mortality rates declined from 167 to 66 per 1000 live births, in South East Asia from 146 to 42 per 1000 live births, in Latin America from 107 to 45 per 1000 live births, and in SSA from 167 to 97 per 1000 live births.  Although SSA experienced a decline it still retains more than five times the rate for East Asia (excluding China; UNDP, 1996).  Also, in most developing countries mortality rate among children under the age of five years decreased from 243 to less than 100 and once more, SSA lags behind with a rate of 174 per 1000 live births when compared with the Arab States (73 per 1000).  At present the high infant mortality rate in SSA is attracting international, national and individual researchers seeking effective and definitive health programs or methodology to implement sustainable measures or solutions towards reduction of infant mortality rates. An infant is a child less than a year old; although in legal terms, it includes children up to the age of seven. However for the nature and scope of this assignment, my definition of an infant will remain within the medical definition of an infant. Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of infant (children under one year of age) per 1000 live births within a year in a country. This includes neonatal death rate (occurring within the first twenty eight days of life) and post neonatal mortality rate (from the twenty eight day to the remainder of the first year). Park (2007) clearly points out that Infant mortality rates is seen as a reasonable approximation to assume that the lower it is, the wealthier a country is, therefore it is a basis for comparison between countries regarding health status. Health inequalities are disparities and variations observable in health status of any group of people. According to Graham (2007), these variations in health are common feature of all societies and cannot be totally eliminated. It is often influenced by the social status of the individuals as people in high social niche tend to have better health than those of lower status (seigrist and Marmot, 2006). Nigeria is a highly populated country comprising over 150million people of varying ethnicity, religion, culture and tradition. Pattern and distribution of health trends and vary within the country and much more when compared to other countries of the world thereby leading to inequality in health .Statistical data by UN (2007) shows that the average annual birth rate is about 5milion and over 475,000 of these children die before their first birthday. Infant mortality rate in Nigeria is one of the highest both within the African continent and globally. Park (2007) noted that more than 40% of infant death occur within the first month of life and a large chunk of global infant mortality comes from the developing world and according to a United Nations report in 2005, Africa accounted for 40% of the total global infant mortality with over 3million children out of 7.5million infant deaths; also in the same year, Asia lost over 4million infants. From this record, it is clear that Africa and Asia constituted over 94% global infant mortalities. This trend has been constituent for so many years and inductively, Nigeria’s infant mortality rate constitutes over 15% in Africa and 6% of global infant deaths.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

According to UNICEF 2006 report, every year nearly 10 million children under five die globally. About 4 million newborns (40% of under-five deaths) die in the first four weeks of life. Although, Africa accounts for only 22% of births globally, half of the 10 million child deaths annually occur in the continent. Africa is the only continent that has seen rising numbers of deaths among children under five since the 1970s. It is estimated that about 4.6 million (46%) under five deaths is in Africa and 98% of these deaths occur only across 42 developing countries. The greatest number of under-five deaths in the world occurs in Sierra Leone, Angola and Afghanistan where between 257 and 270 children die for every 1000 live births. The lowest death rate in the developing world occur in Cuba, Sri Lanka and Syria, where between 7 to 14 children die for every 1000 live births (Global Action for Children, 2008). The World Fact book 2009 estimated the top and bottom five countries with the highest and lowest report infant mortality rates. UN estimates that one in every six children dies from childhood related illness before age five. Under-five mortality in Nigeria is estimated at 191 per 1000 live births. Almost one million children die in Nigeria more than any other country in Africa, largely from preventable diseases. This unhealthy trend has become a matter of great concern, calling for concerted approach for all and sundry. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the global community focuses attention, resources, and action on improving the well-being of all peoples. Nigeria is the most populous Black Country in Africa with 140 million people including 75 million children (Ogbonaya and Aminu, 2009). The infant mortality rate of this country is very significant and has implications for the attainment of the MDGs. It has been noted that Nigeria is lagging behind in achieving universal coverage of key infant health intervention and will unlikely meet the target of the MDGs. According to UNICEF Executive Director, Ann Veneman, “midway to 2015 deadline for MDGs, Nigeria continues to record unacceptably high maternal, newborn and child mortality”. Nigeria ranks as one of the 13 countries in the world with the highest infant mortality rate and is still not listed among the 10 countries seen to have made rapid progress to meet the goals.

1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY

The major purpose of this study is to examine the causes and possible solution of infant mortality. Other general objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the prevailing health challenges that causes infant mortality.
2. To examine the major causes of infant mortality in the study area. 
3. To examine the impact of socio-economic characteristics on these death causes.
4. To examine the factors likely to be associated with excess infant mortality.
5. To examine the relationship between socio-economic factors and causes of infant mortality.
6. To suggest interventions measures for successful curbing of infant mortality.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the prevailing health challenges that cause infant mortality?
2. What are the major causes of infant mortality in the study area?
3. What are the impacts of socio-economic characteristics on these death causes?
4. What are the factors likely to be associated with excess infant mortality?
5. What is the relationship between socio-economic factors and causes of infant mortality?
6. What are the interventions measures for successful curbing of infant mortality?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Socio-economic factors have no significant impact on infant mortality.

H1: Socio-economic factors have significant impact on infant mortality.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The research study is significant for many reasons. It provides information on the factors responsible for infant mortality rate in Oredo, L.G.A of Edo state. The data collected will be useful both to the government and health personnel’s and equally useful to the expectant mothers. The study will be useful to students and researchers for further research.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY 

The study is based on causes and possible solution of infant mortality: A case study of Oredo L.G.A of Edo state (2009-2014).

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS