Abstract:
The situation of child survival in sub Saharan African countries has improved over the past decades, though the level remains unsatisfactory despite several efforts compared to what is obtainable in developed countries. The low coverage of quality health care services and poor health practices among mothers lower the survival chances of under five children in Africa including Nigeria. The study has bearing on the UN-SDG 3 which ensures healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages and target 3.1 states that by 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births; and 3.2 intends to by 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1000 live births. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine the influence of social and health care practices of mothers on under-five mortality and survival in Ado-Odo/Ota. The study was based on secondary data from the 2017 Covenant University Public Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster survey on determinants of child morbidity and survival in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. Data were obtained from 1350 respondents that constituted the sample size using pretested survey questionnaire. All analysis was done on STATA Version 12 and descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed to the data obtained. Results showed that Spouse’s Education (X2 = 11.1912, P = 0.024); Mother’s Occupation (X2 = 14.8405, P = 0.022); Spouse’s Occupation (X2 = 22.6606, P = 0.001); Birth Spacing (X2 = 55.0538, P = 0.000); Duration of Breast Feeding (X2 = 77.5224, P = 0.000); Immunization Status (X2 = 86.1474, P = 0.000) and Household Waste Disposal (X2 = 47.4179, P = 0.000) have significant effect on child mortality and survival, though spouse’s education and mother’s occupation had reduced level of significance. Therefore, the study suggests health education and socio-economic empowerment for both mothers and their spouses in the campaign towards child reduction and child survival.
