Background: Children in the rural Nigeria are faced with higher mortality than their urban
counterparts. And a number of factors are responsible for this. This study was aimed at determining
which of bio-demographic or socio-economic factors contribute more to high rate of infant mortality
in rural Nigeria.
Methods: Data from the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey were re-analysed using
multivariate Weibull proportional hazard model to determine the effect of bio-demographic and socioeconomic
factors on infant mortality in rural Nigeria.
Results: After controlling for other factors, child’s sex, maternal age at child birth, birth interval,
maternal age at first birth, type of toilet facilities, place of residence and maternal education are
factors associated with infant mortality in rural Nigeria. Hazard of infant mortality was lowest among
female children (HR = 0.83, CI= 0.75-0.93). Infant whose mother’s age at child birth were 35 yr or
more have higher risk of death (HR=1.40, CI=1.13- 1.74). Hazard of death was 64% (CI= 0.54- 0.76)
higher at infancy among birth interval of 20-35 and 46% (CI= 0.38, 0.56) higher at infancy among
birth interval more than 35 months. The risk of death was significantly highest in North-east
(HR=1.26, CI=1.05-1.51) and North-west (HR=1.40, CI=1.16-1.67). The use of improved toilet
facility (HR=0.83, CI=0.74, 0.94) lower risk of infant death. Also, infants whose mothers had
secondary or higher education had lower risk of infant death (HR= 0.91, CI= 0.75-1.10).
Conclusions: Both bio-demographic and socioeconomic factors contribute significantly to infant
mortality. Hence, in reducing infant mortality in rural Nigeria attention should be directed towards
bio-demographic and socioeconomic factors.