Abstract
Rationale. Nearly half of all deaths prior to the age of five years globally occur in five nations: China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, with almost a third of these deaths in India and Nigeria (Lawson et al., 2014). Methods. This study investigated the cultural beliefs about infant mortality among working mothers in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample (N = 2400) working mothers on their cultural beliefs in relation to infant mortality. The present study uses an indigenous questionnaire, “Cultural Beliefs of Infant Mortality Questionnaire (CBIMQ).” A series of hierarchical regressions and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed to test the hypotheses that cultural beliefs about infant mortality would vary by geography, ethnicity, age, income, education, and marital status. Results. Findings revealed that age, education, and mothers’ monthly income significantly predicted working mothers’ cultural beliefs of infant mortality. Furthermore, results showed differences in marital status, urban vs. rural locality, ethnicity, and religious affiliation on working mothers’ cultural beliefs of infant mortality. Conclusion. We discuss the implications to address health issues and provide recommendations for targeted programs such as seminars and workshops to be organized by counselors on the scientific causes of infant mortality.
Highlights
Research has shown that infant mortality is a major problem in Nigeria and has been linked to factors such as inadequate health facilities, lack of financial capacity, and lack of access to appropriate medical care. e major scientific causes of infant mortality in Nigeria include dehydration, infection, congenital malfunction, pneumonia, measles, diarrhea, and malaria [1]
Efforts to address the high infant mortality rates in Nigeria and in other developing countries date back to the World Summit for Children (WSC) as part of the United Nations in 1990 that brought the welfare of children to the forefront of the global agenda and a promise to improve the lives of children in every part of the world
We systematically explore cultural beliefs about infant mortality and how they may vary by geography, ethnicity, age, income, education, and marital status to better understand how these cultural beliefs are held by individuals
Summary
Research has shown that infant mortality is a major problem in Nigeria and has been linked to factors such as inadequate health facilities, lack of financial capacity, and lack of access to appropriate medical care. e major scientific causes of infant mortality in Nigeria include dehydration, infection, congenital malfunction, pneumonia, measles, diarrhea, and malaria [1]. Actions included combating childhood diseases through low-cost remedies and strengthening the Basic Health Services Scheme (BHSS), prioritizing the prevention and treatment of AIDS, providing universal access to safe drinking water and sanitary excreta disposal, and controlling for waterborne diseases [2] Despite these actions, Nigeria continues to be plagued by high infant mortality rates, with many infant deaths that seemingly could have been prevented through timely and adequate medical care. These social groups vary by their distinct cultural traits, including their cultural beliefs and behaviors Most of these cultural beliefs have existed long before the colonial days and advent of orthodox medicine and include the belief that angry gods and evil spirits are the major causes of illness and, as such, the presence of an illness may be seen as a warning sign of an imbalance between the natural and the spiritual world [26]. Some professionals have attributed infant mortality rates to traditional beliefs and practices that mothers may adhere to in the Nigerian society where people believe something or someone is behind evil occurrences and the culprits of infant death [11, 17]
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