INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study:
The increasing concern about the high rates of childhood mortality in Nigeria and the desire for significant reduction in the rates are mainly due to the negative effects of the incidence of death.
Infant and child mortality rate which is the number of infants dying before reaching one year, are widely accepted index of socio-economic development and a reflection of a country’s health care system and quality of life.
Many studies and national surveys like the Nigerian Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) have focused on the analysis of the pattern of infant and child mortality rates and they are of the consensus that the rates are declining (Adebayo and Fahrmier, 2005; NDHS, 2008). The rates of decline have however been slow in developing countries prompting the United Nations among other challenges to adopt in year 2000, the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of which the fourth MDG aims at reducing child mortality by two thirds by year 2015.
1.1.1 Infant Mortality in Nigeria:
Nigeria in the past few years has experienced some worsening statistics of child mortality. The infant mortality rate evaluated at 97 deaths per 1000 birth in 2014 was estimated at 87 in 1990. This can be partly explained by the persistent low number of births occurring in health facilities and the low number of births attended by trained health care service providers. In 2010, two thirds of the births in Nigeria still occurred at home. In addition, only slightly more than one third of births in Nigeria are attended by doctors, nurses or midwives. In 2000 the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria was 800 per 100,000 live births.
It is apparent through the elevated mortality rates that the lack of access to or use of quality delivery services is an issue of immense importance in Nigeria. Problems such as obtaining money for treatment, distance to health facility and having to take transport are some of the many difficulties stated by women in describing difficulty with accessing healthcare. The aforementioned lack of trained health care attended births in Nigeria is compounded by the fact that only six in ten mothers receive anti natal care from a trained medical professional. Nurses and midwives are the most frequently used source of healthcare.
Good antenatal care can prevent the major causes of neonatal mortality In Nigeria-neonatal tetanus, malaria and maternal anemia. However, as of 2014, only 52% of women received iron supplements and only 34% received drugs to prevent malaria.
The consequences of the poor state of pregnant women in Nigeria are numerous and affects maternal as well as child mortality. The infant mortality rate in Nigeria is estimated at 97 per 1000 live births. Infant deaths, which accounts for half of child mortality have increased from what they were in 1990.
With a 15% immunization rate for children between 12-23 months, Nigeria is the African country with the lowest vaccination rate. Substantial presence of Acute Respiratory Infections and diarrhea also contributes to the elevated mortality rates for children. (MDG Report 2014).
From the forgoing, it can be seen that maternal health is positively or negatively correlated to infant mortality amongst other factors mentioned. This study seeks to examine the effect of the provision of maternal health services on infant mortality in Nasarawa State.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem:
The reduction of infant and child mortality has been identified as a worldwide target and one of the most important key indices among Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). (Desta, 2011).
However, despite all efforts put in place by successive governments, child mortality rates still remain unacceptably high in Nasarawa State as can also be found in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan African countries. Approximately, half of the world childhood deaths take place in sub-Saharan Africa despite the region having only one fifth of the world‘s children population (Smith, 2010).
Generally, the health outcome in Nigeria is on the decline. For example as observed by Abimbola and Katherine, (2012), every 10 minutes, one woman dies on account of either pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria, giving a total of 53,000 per year. This means about 800 women die in every 100,000 live births. Nigeria‘s newborn death rate (neonatal mortality) – 528 per day – is one of the highest in the world. More than a quarter of the estimated 1 million children who die under the age of 5 years annually in Nigeria die during the first 28 days of life (neonatal period). About 9 out of ten of newborn deaths are preventable.
One question that comes to mind is; what are the factors that determine the unrelenting and persistent child mortality in the country and in particular in Nasarawa State?
Empirical evidence shows that several factors have been put forward amongst which are early marriage, poor maternal health, malaria, HIV/AIDS, absence of medical facilities, lack of ante natal and post-natal care etc.
This study specifically seeks to evaluate the effect of the provision of adequate maternal health in the reduction of infant mortality in Nigeria using Nasarawa State as a case study.
1.2.1 Research Questions:
This research work shall be guided by the following research questions:
• How has the provision of maternal health services helped in reducing infant mortality rate in Nasarawa State?
• What is the trend of infant mortality in Nasarawa State?
• What is the role of the government in the reduction of infant mortality rate in Nasarawa State?
• How can the problem of infant mortality be solved?
1.3 Objective of the Study:
The study seeks to achieve the following objectives.
i. Examine the impact of the provision of maternal health services on infant mortality rate in Nasarawa State.
ii. Identify the factors that seem to have more effect than the others on infant mortality rate in Nasarawa State of Nigeria.
iii. Access the impact of governmental involvement in the reduction of infant mortality rate in Nigeria.
iv. Proffer solutions to the problems observed.
1.4 Significance of the Study:
Whilst acknowledging the fact that this study is not the first of its kind using Nigerian data, however, it shall go a little further than earlier work as it is restricted to assessing the impact of maternal health on infant mortality in Nasarawa State of Nigeria.
This study will contribute to existing knowledge as researchers, students, women and the academics will update existing knowledge from the useful information and analysis provided. Also, this study will enable policy makers to promote infant mortality reduction through appropriate policy recommendations.
1.5 Scope of the Study:
The study will examine the effect of the provision of maternal health services in reducing infant mortality in Nasarawa State of Nigeria.
1.6 Limitations of the Study:
The study is limited to available data gathered from the Nasarawa State ministry of health, UNICEF and WHO Journals and other related sources. Also, data that may be used for the empirical analysis may be porous and as such are often manipulated for political reasons. Besides, the study shall only be limited to Nasarawa State of Nigeria.
1.7 Research Hypothesis:
H0: Provision of Maternal Health Services has no significant impact in the reduction of infant mortality in Nasarawa State.
H1: Provision of Maternal Health Services has a significant impact in the reduction of infant mortality in Nasarawa State.
1.8 Study Outline:
This study shall contain five chapters. The first chapter is the introduction. Chapter two would present the literature review on the subject matter. The methodology to be adopted in the study would be stated in chapter three. Chapter four shall focus on the presentation and interpretation of results. Chapter five presents the summary of the findings, conclusion and appropriate recommendations.
1.9 Definition of Terms:
Terms which are considered necessary and suitable for the proper understanding of the subject matter are hereby defined to enhance proper understanding of the subject matter:
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): This is the number of deaths of children less than one year of age per 1000 live births. The rate for a given region is the number of children dying under one year of age, divided by the number of live births during the year, multiplied by 1000.
• Childhood Mortality (CM): This is the death of a child before age 5.
• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): The ratio of the number of maternal death during a given time period per 100,000 live birth during the same time period. MMR = (MD/LB)*100000. Where MD is the number of maternal deaths in a period, and LB is the number of live births occurring in the same period.
• Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): These are eight international development goals that were established following the millennium summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. These goals are expected to be achieved by 2015.
Call 07032879723 or send a mail to michaelonjewu@yahoo for the complete project
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