LEVEL AND AGE PATTERN OF INFANT AND CHILD MORTALITY IMPLIED BY THE 2008 NDHS DATA

The level and age pattern of infant and child mortality implied by the 2008 Nigeria
Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) is discussed in this paper. The Trussell variant
of the original Brass method was used to obtain the estimates of infant and childhood
mortality. Results of the analyses indicate that the East pattern of the Coale-Demeny
model life tables appear to describe the mortality pattern in the data most appropriately.
Although infant and child mortality level is still relatively high, there are indications that it
has declined from the results of the previous surveys. Therefore, the East pattern of the
Coale-Demeny model life tables has been recommended for use in estimating
demographic parameters in Nigeria. The study also recommends further improvements on
the levels health care delivery in Nigeria.