By Lexi Elo
These are not the best times for Nigerian children as the 2013 National Health Demographic Survey (NDHS) reveal that one in every 15 Nigerian children die before celebrating their first birthday.
The new NDHS report revealed that child mortality had decreased due to improved financial capacity of every household in the country.
Dr Aliyu Daniel, National Population Commission (NPC) FCT Federal Commissioner stated that the data will be useful for evidence based planning in the country.
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Daniel noted that the report had shown comprehensive indicators on health and living standards of the people.
A peep into the report reveal a decline in infant mortality of about 128 deaths of under-five children per 1,000 births in 2013 compared to 157 per 1, 000 births in 2008 and 201 per 1, 000 births in 2003.
The survey was implemented by the NPC and funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Under-five mortality among children born to mothers with no education is about 180 deaths per 1, 000 live births while 91 deaths were recorded for infants of educated mothers, the report pointed out.
The survey linked prevention of infant and maternal mortality to level of mothers’ literacy.
On the area of education, the survey showed that over 38 per cent of Nigerian women and 21 per cent of men are illiterates.
