Under-five Mortality in Nigeria: Effects of Neighbourhood Contexts

Despite the global decline in childhood mortality, under-5 mortality remains high in Nigeria. With about 1 in 6 children dying before the age of 5, Nigeria is not on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 4. While many studies on childhood mortality in Nigeria have established individual level factors as important predictors of infant and child mortality, similar studies on the effects of neighborhood contexts have been minimal. Hence, this study examines the effects of neighborhood contexts on under-5 mortality in Nigeria. The study utilized 2003 and 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data. Cox regression analysis was performed on a nationally representative sample of 6028 (2003) and 28,647 (2008) children, (α=0.05). Results established region of residence, place of residence, ethnic diversity, neighborhood infrastructures, community education and health care contexts as important determinants of infant and child mortality in Nigeria. For instance, findings showed that being born or raised in poor neighborhoods (HR:1.54,P<0.05), rural communities (HR:1.25,p<0.05), North-east (HR:1.56), was associated with elevated hazards of dying before age 5. Policies to achieve under-5 mortality reduction in Nigeria must involve community-level interventions aimed at improving child survival in the deprived neighborhoods.