Under-Five Mortality Prevalence, Risk Factors and Preventive Measures in Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

Under-5 mortality (U5M) is a major public health challenge in developing countries. Despite efforts made by various stakeholders to curb its occurrence through immunization, it appears to remain on the increase in Nigeria. This study assessed U5M mortality prevalence, risk factors, and preventive measures in Nsukka Enugu State Nigeria. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July, 2022 at 10 major primary and secondary health facilities in Nsukka health district. A total number of 400 childbearing mothers participated. Data collection was done using self-structured Under-five Mortality Inventory Proforma (U5MIP), and self-structured Risk Factors for Under-five Mortality and Preventive Measures Questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, and Chi-square test were used for analyses. The findings revealed that the highest proportion of under five deaths occurred in 2017, while the lowest proportion occurred in 2018. More than two-thirds of childbearing mothers (CBMs) reported the common U5M risk factors, and majority of CBMs reported the common the preventive measures for death of under-5 children. Childbearing mothers differed significantly in the perceived risk factors for U5M based on parity (p < .05), but did not differ based on maternal education, maternal age, maternal place of residence, and birth interval (p >.05). This research proves that the preventive measures indicated by CBMs can help to reduce the perceived risk factors for U5M. However, there is need for health educators to be properly guided in sensitizing the CBMs on health-seeking behaviours to adopt in order to enhance under-five survival rate and reduce their death rate.