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Inequities in Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria: Differentials by Religious Affiliation of the Mother

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Abstract

Observations in Nigeria have indicated polio vaccination refusal related to religion that ultimately affected child morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the role of religion in under-five (0–59 months) mortality using a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of 7,620 women aged 15–49 years from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and included 6,029 children. Results show that mother’s affiliation to Traditional indigenous religion is significantly associated with increased under-five mortality. Multivariable modelling demonstrated that this association is explained by differential use of maternal and child health services, specifically attendance to prenatal care. To reduce child health inequity, these results need to be incorporated in the formulation of child health policies geared towards achieving a high degree of attendance to prenatal care, irrespective of religious affiliation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Social Medicine (Unit of Epidemiology), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Diddy Antai & Tahereh Moradi

  2. Department of Statistics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Gebrenegus Ghilagaber

  3. Department of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Sara Wedrén

  4. Division of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Gloria Macassa

Authors
  1. Diddy Antai
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  2. Gebrenegus Ghilagaber
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  3. Sara Wedrén
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  4. Gloria Macassa
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  5. Tahereh Moradi
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Correspondence to Diddy Antai.

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Antai, D., Ghilagaber, G., Wedrén, S. et al. Inequities in Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria: Differentials by Religious Affiliation of the Mother. J Relig Health 48, 290–304 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-008-9197-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-008-9197-7

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