Paper Title
Impact of Socio-Economic Inequality on Infant Mortality in Nigeria
Abstract
The study is situated against the backdrop of poor child health outcomes amidst rising poverty and low standard
of living in the country. Consequently, the study set to first, identify the socio-economic determinant of under-five and infant
mortality in Nigeria and second, to ascertain if there is inequality in the distribution of selected child health outcomes in
Nigeria. The logit model and concentration index were utilized to achieve the set objectives of the research work. Data on
infant and under five mortality, household wealth and other socio-economic variables were sourced from the Nigeria
demographic health survey NDHS 2018. Findings from the estimated models reveal the following: Socio economic
variables like household wealth, Mothers level of education, employment status of mother, household size, place of
residence have significant impact on infant and under five mortality in Nigeria. There exists a significant inequality in under
five and infant mortality in Nigeria with significant negative bias towards the poor. The study recommends that efforts to
tackle infant mortality should be holistically addressed and must include increasing literacy rate among women, women
empowerment programmes that improve women financial capacity, agency and freedom of choice.
Keywords - Mortality, Logit model, Infant, Socio economic