Infant Mortality Nexus in Nigeria: Evidence from Multi- Logit Model

Abstract

Infant mortality remains a critical public health concern in Nigeria, often attributed to factors such as malnutrition, poor maternal care, and infections either transmitted during childbirth or contracted after birth. This study situates infant mortality within the framework of the Health Belief Model (HBM) propounded by Rosenstock (1974), which explains that individuals’ health outcomes are influenced by their perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. Applying this model, the study assumes that mothers’ beliefs and behaviors regarding hygiene, nutrition, and health practices significantly affect infant survival. The research utilizes data from the 2013 and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS), comprising 38,459 complete records. Given the binary nature of the dependent variable, infant survival status, a Multilevel Logistic Regression Model was employed, considering the mother’s age category as the higher-level variable. This hierarchical modeling approach enables a more accurate assessment of both individual- and group-level influences on infant mortality compared to traditional logistic regression. The results indicate that households with exposed toilets are more prone to higher rates of infant deaths than those with flush toilets, highlighting the strong link between sanitation and infant health. The study concludes that addressing infant mortality in Nigeria requires acknowledging the hierarchical structure of related factors and incorporating multilevel analytical approaches for precise estimation. It further recommends policies promoting maternal education, improved sanitation, and family planning to reduce the burden of infant mortality in Nigeria.