Abstract
ObjectiveThe literature on the impact of internal migration on under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa has been limited. This study examined the impact of internal migration on under-five mortality rate in 27 sub-Saharan African countries.DesignThe analysis used cross-sectional data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 27 sub-Saharan African countries. Information on the number of live births and the number of under-five deaths in the five years preceding the surveys in these countries was examined. Using variables from which migration data were generated, four migration statuses were computed, and the impact of each migration status on under-five mortality was analysed by using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsOf the 96333 live births, 7036 deaths were reported. In the unadjusted model, we found that, compared to urban non-migrant mothers, hazard of under-five mortality was 20% [HR: 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.06–1.35)], 40% [HR: 1.40; 95% CI: (1.29–1.53)], and 43% [HR: 1.43; 95% CI: (1.30–1.58)] higher among urban-rural migrant, rural non-migrant, and rural-urban migrant mothers respectively. The likelihood of children dying did not change considerably when country and demographic variables were adjusted for. However, after controlling for health care service utilization factors, the results remained consistently significant for rurality. That is, mortality rates remained significantly higher among children of rural non-migrant [(HR: 1.20; 95% CI: (1.08–1.33), P-value (p) < 0.001] and rural-urban migrant [HR: 1.29; 95% CI: (1.15–1.45), p < 0.001] mothers than those of urban non-migrant mothers.ConclusionAlthough under-five child mortality rate declined by 52% between 1990 and 2015 (from 179 to 86 per1000 live births) in sub-Saharan Africa, the continent still has the highest rate in the world. This finding highlights the need to consider providing education and health care services in rural areas, when implementing interventions meant to reduce under-five mortality rates among internal migrant mothers.
Highlights
Population mobility has been known to be an integral part of development of individuals and nations [1]
We found that, compared to urban non-migrant mothers, hazard of under-five mortality was 20% [Hazards Ratio (HR): 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.06–1.35)], 40% [HR: 1.40; 95% confidence intervals (CIs): (1.29–1.53)], and 43% [HR: 1.43; 95% CI: (1.30–1.58)] higher among urban-rural migrant, rural non-migrant, and rural-urban migrant mothers respectively
Mortality rates remained significantly higher among children of rural non-migrant [(HR: 1.20; 95% CI: (1.08–1.33), P-value (p) < 0.001] and rural-urban migrant [HR: 1.29; 95% CI: (1.15–1.45), p < 0.001] mothers than those of urban non-migrant mothers
Summary
Population mobility has been known to be an integral part of development of individuals and nations [1]. Among others, job insecurity in rural areas (e.g. lack of employment opportunities or promotion), poor working conditions, (e.g. poor working facilities), poverty (e.g. agricultural decline, lack of funding opportunities or low salaries) and political factors (e.g. insecurity, wars, or ethnic and religious persecution). In this sense, rural outmigration is a survival strategy utilized by poor rural dwellers. Pull factors represent the opposite of push factors These include, among other factors, job security (e.g. availability of jobs in urban areas and increased promotion opportunities) and better working conditions and urban settings. Reduced economic opportunities in major sub-Saharan African cities and the increase in urban poverty despite the implementation of Structural Adjustment Programs, has led to urban outmigration- the migration from towns to rural areas [4, 5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
