Gender Discrepancy in Infant Mortality in Nigeria: Evidence from NDHS Data 2018

Abstract

Despite overall improvements in child health and survival, gender discrepancies persist, reflecting complex interactions among socio-cultural norms, healthcare access, and socioeconomic conditions. This research paper focuses on the gender-based discrepancy in infant mortality rates in Nigeria. This paper aims to explore the elements prompting gender-based discrepancies in infant mortality. For the objective of the study, records from the NDHS 2018 were obtained. Log-rank test at level of significance was used to ascertain the factors influencing gender-based discrepancies in infant mortality. The findings of this study depict higher risk among males than females in all the variables under study with an exception of maternal age groups 35-39 (50.36%) and 40-49 (50.25%,) which depict the risk of infant mortality is higher among female infants than males. The relationship between gender and mortality can vary based on factors such as maternal age, maternal education, breastfeeding, and antenatal visits. These emphasize the need for targeted interventions and policies to address the underlying causes of gender-based discrepancies in infant mortality and to improve the health outcomes of all infants in Nigeria.