MATERNAL SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND CHILD HEALTH IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM EKITI STATE.

Abstract

We examine the impact of the socio-economic status of mothers on child health in Nigeria regarding Ekiti State. The research employed a cross-sectional research design method where data were collected randomly in the selected unit of population. The sample size was determined following the sample size determination proposed by Taro Yamane to be 400 mothers between the ages 18-56 years, with a sampling error of 5 percent and the confidence level assumed to be 95%. Data were collected using structured questionnaires with a ratio of 3:2 i.e, 60% to relative urban and 40% to relative rural areas. The study adopts the logistic regression technique. The findings show that maternal occupation and income raise the odds of under-five children contracting malaria, while raise in maternal education of a child, in both conventional and child/health education are less likely to experience malaria. The study recommends that mothers are encouraged to be more committed and/or active in participating in childcare activities to reduce the vulnerability of the children to the malaria parasite.