Exploring the Nexus between Child Immunization and Child Mortality in Rural Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria's economic growth has not been pro-poor. Health indices remain poor with high child mortality rate particularly in the rural sector. This study provides insights into child immunization as a complement to unobservable factors responsible for mortality reduction. The ratio of the number of children not alive to the number of children born alive in a household is the measure of the household's child mortality rate. The National Living Standards Survey is the main source of data and the control function approach is the preferred estimation procedure. The estimation results reveal a strong link between access to immunization and reduction in mortality. The results show a robust inverse relationship between child immunization and child mortality. Literacy of mothers emerges as an important determinant of demand for child immunization. It is argued that improving girl-child education would increase demand for child immunization and reduce child mortality in rural Nigeria.