IMPACT OF MALNUTRITION ON UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN MORTALITY IN NIGERIA
Ibrahim Atsanumra Musa and Miftahu Idris
Volume 3 Issue 2
Abstract
The study examined impact of malnutrition on under-5 children mortality rate in Nigeria. The objectives of the study include evaluating the impact of Stunting, wasting and underweight on under-five child mortality Rate. Under the methodology the study adopted ADF test of Stationary properties of the series, Test of exogeneity, Selection of lag length, Selection of optimal model, general modelling, Bound test for co-integration, Estimation of long run coefficients and granger Causality Test so as to realize its intended purposes. The findings of this study shows that all variable obtain stationary by taking the first difference and the estimation results reveal significant coefficient at all of 1%, 5% and 10% in the long-run. The estimation result of MTR indicates a positive and significant coefficient. This means that a one percent increase in stunting results to 0.04 per cent increase in mortality rate. The result of wasting indicates a positive and significant coefficient. This means that a one percent increase in wasting results to a 0.28 percent increase in the in a long run. The result of underweight indicates a negative and significant coefficient; this implies that underweight increases mortality rate accordingly. Base on the above finding the following the study recommendations: Practice of exclusive breastfeeding should be encouraged and nursing mothers should be adequately educated to ensure that the infants receive both the fore and hind breast milk for proper growth. Health workers in post-natal care should undergo special training on breastfeeding to enable them provide a scientifically sound nutrition to nursing mothers beyond the basic knowledge they acquired when in training. Ensure appropriate complementary feeding, which promotes growth and prevents stunting among children 6–24 months. Keywords: Malnutrition, Under-five Mortality, Cointegration, Granger Causality, Nigeria
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