Household Environmental Health Hazards and Childhood Mortality among Nigerian Ethnic Groups
Keywords:
Health hazards, Childhood mortality, Ethnic groups, Household environmentSynopsis
Health hazards, such as poor air quality, contamination of water and inadequate sanitary facilities, are prevalent in household environment. Children are most vulnerable to these health hazards because of their unique physical and biological characteristics. Unlike in developed countries, where health hazards from household environment constitute little risks, most under-five deaths in Nigeria and other developing countries have been linked to childhood morbidity induced from the household environment. It was hypothesized that household environments and specific socio-cultural practices vary among different ethnic groups and could affect childhood mortality. This study, therefore, examined the effect of household environmental health hazards on childhood mortality among Nigerian ethnic groups. Mosley and Chen analytical framework and Ecological System Theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. Secondary data from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2003 were complemented with 40 focus group discussions and 40 in-depth interviews among selected ethnic groups in Nigeria. A retrospective child file was generated from NDHS 2003 and live births within five years preceeding the survey were selected for the study, which gave a total of 5,531children. Ethnic membership was broadly categorized into Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Southern minorities (SM) and Northern minorities (NM). Qualitative data were collected among these ethnic groups, with the Ijaw and Tiv representing SM and NM respectively. The quantitative data were analyzed using multivariational regressions while content analysis was utilized for qualitative data. There were disparities in the household environment of children among Nigerian ethnic groups; ethnic groups in the northern part were at relative disadvantage on basic household environmental variables that affect hygiene. There were about 74.3% of NM, 72.4% of Hausa-Fulani, 67.8% of SM and 57.9% of Igbo children constantly exposed to household health hazards. Yoruba children were least exposed (36.4%). An examination of the Direct Estimates and Cox regression on childhood mortality indicate significant difference (χ2 =11.8, p<0.05,df=4) with ethnic groups in the northern part of Nigeria having the highest risk to childhood mortality based on household environmental health hazard. There are also significant (χ2 =166.9, p<0.05, df= 31) mediating effect of demographic and socio-economic variables on household environmental health hazards and under five mortality in Nigeria. The values placed on children among all ethnic groups were reflected in different socio-cultural beliefs and practices with significant influence of urban residence and education of mothers. However, some ethnic specific socio-cultural beliefs that exposed children to health hazards within the household were still being practiced especially among the groups in the northern part of Nigeria. Household environment and specific socio-cultural practices were salient to the exposure of under-five children to health hazards within the household and childhood mortality. However, the differences observed were more of a reflection of mother’s socio-economic variables. Therefore, women should have more access to education and information on best childcare practices in the household environments. People’s belief should be taken into cognizance when developing policy on child health.
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