Sociodemographic Factors, Breastfeeding Practices and Infant Mortality in Northern Nigeria

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

1.3 Research Questions

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.5 Justification for Study

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Meaning and Categorisation of Breastfeeding

2.2 Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers

2.3 Prevalence of Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers in Nigeria

2.4 Early Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers

2.5.0 The Influence of Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors on Infant Mortality

2.5.1 Educational Attainment versus Economic Status and Infant Mortality

2.5.2 Birth order, Mother’s age at first birth and Infant Mortality

2.5.3 Place of Residence and Infant Mortality

2.6.0 Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers and Infant Mortality

2.6.1 The Influence of Early and Exclusive breastfeeding on Infant’s Health and Mortality

2.7 Environmental Risk Factor and Infant Mortality

2.8.0 Policy Response

2.8.1 National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria

2.8.2 The National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria (2004 Review)

2.8.3 The Nigeria Child’s Protective Policy

2.9.0 Theoretical Framework

2.9.1 Conceptual Framework

2.10 Study Hypotheses

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study Area

3.2 Study Design

3.2.1 Secondary Data Source

3.2.2 Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

3.3 Research Variables

3.4 Data Analysis

3.5 Data Limitations

3.6 Ethical Issues

CHAPTER FOUR DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULT

4.1 UNIVARIATE ANALYSIS

4.1.1 Distribution of Respondents by Demographic and Socio-Economic Characteristics

4.1.2 Distribution of Respondents by Breastfeeding Practices

4.1.3 Distribution of Respondents by Environmental Risk Factors

4.1.4 Distribution of Respondents by Healthcare Service Utilization

4.1.5 Distribution of Infants by Infanthood Diseases, Treatment and Infant Mortality

4.2 BIVARIATE ANALYSIS

4.2.1 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Breastfeeding Practices, Environmental Risk Factors, Health Care Service Utilization, Infanthood Diseases and Age at Infant Death

4.2.2 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Age at Infant Death

4.2.3 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Breastfeeding Practices by Mothers

4.2.4 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Infanthood Disease (Cough)

4.2.5 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Infanthood Disease (Fever)

4.2.6 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Infanthood Disease (Upper Respiratory Diseases)

4.2.7 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Infanthood Disease (Diarrhea)

4.2.8 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Environmental Risk Factor (Smoke Emission from Cooking Fuel)

4.2.9 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Environmental Risk Factor (Source of Water)

4.2.10 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Environmental Risk Factor (Toilet Facility)

4.2.11 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Health Care Service Utilization in Government Hospital (Place of Antenatal Care)

4.2.12 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Health Care Service Utilization in Private Hospital/Clinic (Place of Antenatal Care)

4.2.13 Relationship between Selected Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Health Care Service Utilization at Home (Place of Antenatal Care)

4.2.14 Relationship between Breastfeeding Practices and Infant Mortality

4.2.15 Relationship between Breastfeeding Practices by Mother and Age at Infant Death

4.2.16 Relationship between Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practices and Occurrence of Infanthood Diseases (Upper Respiratory Diseases)

4.2.17 Relationship between Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practices and Occurrence of Infanthood Disease (Cough)

4.2.18 Relationship between Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practices and Occurrence of Infanthood Diseases (Fever)

4.2.19 Relationship between Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practices and Occurrence of Infanthood Disease (Diarrhea)

4.2.20 Relationship between Environmental Risk Factors and Infanthood Diseases

4.2.21 Relationship between Environmental Risk Factors and Occurrence of Fever in Infants

4.2.22 Relationship between Environmental Risk Factors and Occurrence of Cough in Infants

4.2.23 Relationship between Environmental Risk factors and Occurrence of Upper Respiratory Disease

4.2.24 Relationship between Environmental Risk Factors and Occurrence of Diarrhea

4.2.25 Relationship between Environmental Risk Factors and Age at Infant Death

4.2.26 Relationship between Health Care Services Utilization and Age at Infant Death

4.2.27 Relationship between Health Care Services Utilization and Fever in Infants

4.2.28 Relationship between Health Care Services Utilization and Cough in Infants

4.2.29 Relationship between Health Care Services Utilization and Upper Respiratory Diseases in Infants

4.2.30 Relationship between Health Care Services Utilization and Diarrhea in Infants

4.2.31 Relationship between Health Care Services Utilization and Age at Infant Death

4.3 MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS

4.3.1 Binary Logistic Regression of Occurrence of Infanthood Death and Treatment of Diarrhea among Children, Controlling for Independent and Intervening Variables

4.3.2 Cox Regression Analysis of Infant Mortality Showing the Interactions between Independent and Intervening Variable Effects on Infanthood Survival

4.4 Discussion

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendations

5.4 Limitation of the Study

5.5 Area for Further Research

Research Objectives and Themes

This study aims to investigate the complex relationships between socio-demographic factors, breastfeeding practices, and infant mortality in Northern Nigeria. The primary research question centers on how these maternal and environmental variables influence infant survival and morbidity, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations to reduce infant mortality rates through enhanced breastfeeding practices and improved health policy interventions.

• Socio-demographic determinants of infant health and mortality
• Breastfeeding patterns and their impact on infant nutrition and survival
• Role of environmental risk factors in infanthood diseases
• Efficacy of healthcare service utilization in improving infant outcomes

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION: Provides the definition of infant mortality and outlines the context of its impact on socio-economic development globally and specifically in Northern Nigeria.

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines existing theories and empirical studies regarding breastfeeding categorization, factors influencing maternal practices, and the link between socio-demographic variables and infant survival.

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY: Details the study area, the use of the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data, and the application of in-depth interviews as qualitative research tools.

CHAPTER FOUR DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULT: Presents univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate the associations between maternal demographics, environmental risks, and child health outcomes.

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Concludes the research by validating the findings, summarizing the key determinants of infant mortality, and suggesting policy improvements for maternal and child health.

Keywords

Infant Mortality, Breastfeeding Practices, Northern Nigeria, Socio-Demographic Factors, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Child Survival, Environmental Risk Factors, Healthcare Utilization, Public Health, Malnutrition, Maternal Education, Demographic Health Survey, Infanthood Diseases, Millennium Development Goal 4, Policy Response.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary scope of this research?

This study investigates the interrelationships between socio-demographic factors, maternal breastfeeding practices, and infant mortality in Northern Nigeria to understand how these factors affect child survival.

What are the central themes discussed in the work?

The core themes include maternal socio-economic status, the impact of exclusive vs. complementary breastfeeding, environmental influences like water quality and smoke exposure, and the effectiveness of immunization and prenatal care.

What is the primary research goal?

The primary goal is to determine how socio-demographic characteristics and specific breastfeeding practices correlate with infant health and to identify strategies for reducing infant mortality rates in the region.

Which scientific methodology is employed?

The research uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data with qualitative content analysis of in-depth interviews conducted across four states in Northern Nigeria.

What does the main body of the work address?

The main body systematically analyzes survey data to identify significant associations between factors like mother's education, wealth index, and place of residence with infant mortality, while also evaluating health system utilization.

Which keywords define the core of this work?

Key terms include Infant Mortality, Breastfeeding Practices, Northern Nigeria, Socio-Demographic Factors, Child Survival, and Healthcare Utilization.

How does maternal education influence breastfeeding?

The study finds that maternal education is a significant determinant; higher levels of education often correlate with better understanding of health practices, though the influence of cultural and environmental factors remains profound.

What is the conclusion regarding environmental risk factors?

The study concludes that exposure to unsafe water, lack of toilet facilities, and indoor smoke from biomass fuel are major drivers of infant morbidity and mortality, particularly in rural and low-income households in Northern Nigeria.