DETERMINANTS OF CHILD HEALTH STATUS AMONG UNDER-FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2024
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University Of Ilorin
Abstract
Child health, as a prerequisite to national development, represents a public health condition, while national health condition is a reflection of the state health status. From the available literature, Kwara State experienced deteriorations of social and economic well-being, as reflected especially in age under-five years. Most existing studies on the determinants of the under-five child health status in Kwara State were health facility-based which was a supply side phenomenon, while neglecting the demand side. The aim of this study is to determine the child health status among under-five years of age in Kwara State, Nigeria. The objectives were to: (i) examine the impact of background factors on under-five child health status; (ii) investigate the effect of proximate factors on under-five child health status; (iii) evaluate the relationship between background and proximate factors among under-five child health status; and (iv) examine, if proximate factors significantly moderate the nexus between background factors and under-five child health status in Kwara State, Nigeria.
The study was based on Mosley-Chen Model of the determinants of child survival. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect data through a structured questionnaire from the sample. The sample population of the study consists of 900 respondents selected from nine Local Government Areas covering the three senatorial districts in Kwara State, through the used descriptive statistics and binary logistics model to achieve objectives i, ii, iii and iv. The study used primary data to source for the necessary information needed.
The findings of the study were that:
i background factors: mother’s education (P=0.000), child age (P=0.001), child sex (P=0.000), mother’s marital status (P=0.075), mother’s age (P=0.003), wealth index (P=0.022), mother’s occupation (P=0.000), place of residence (P=0.007) and tribe (P=0.013)) were significant determinants of age under-5 health status;
ii proximate factors: birth order (P=0.003), immunization (P=0.005), toilet facility (P=0.000), type of cooking fuel (P=0.000) and place of delivery (P=0.012)) were significant determinants of age under-5 health status;
iii Pearson Chi-square test of association showed that among the proximate factors, source of drinking water (0.000), toilet facility (0.000), type of cooking fuel (0.000) and place of delivery (0.000)) had a significant relationship with all the background factors; and
iv estimated log ratio (lr) test statistic of 100.13 which is statistically significant implies that proximate factors (birth order, immunization, child breastfeeding, source of drinking water, toilet facility, type of cooking fuel and place of delivery) jointly moderate the effect of background factors on under-five child health status in Kwara State.
The study concluded that under-five child health is still a major concern that needs timely intervention of the government and non-governmental organisations. The study therefore, recommended that health intervention policies that focus on children and nursing mothers should be strengthened to achieve the targeted 3.2 by 2030. In addition, special education and health programs should be included in the formal education for better parenting.
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Keywords
Health, Child, Status, Under-Five, State