DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING DIFFERENTIALS IN INFANT MORTALITY IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Infant mortality is one of the most expressive indicators of development in all countries of the world. In Nigeria, the current rate of infant mortality indicates that the country is far from ending the problem of infant mortality. It has not only reflected on the health of an infant, but also, the societal wellbeing as a whole. Hitherto, available studies on infant mortality have not clearly indicated its level as to whether it is increasing or decreasing in Nasarawa State, let alone its differentials. The paper examines the demographic factors influencing differentials in infant mortality in Nasarawa State-Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to select respondents. Initially, for the study which involved six (6) namely Local Government Areas, electoral wards, main street, houses, household and individual/respondent. The methods of data collection utilized for the study was questionnaire. The questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using tables, frequency, percentage, cross tabulation and Chi-square to establish and statistically test the level of significance in the relationship between two variables. Findings of the study established the differentials in infant mortality in urban and rural communities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, but overall, it is still high. There were marked differentials found in the prevalence of infant mortality among socio-economic and demographic factors, such as maternal education, maternal occupation, sex of infant birth interval and gender. On the basis of these findings, the study recommends a renewed policy on maternal health education in Nasarawa State including free counselling on birth spacing, family planning, immunization, ante-natal and post-natal care for all women.