GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF INFANT MORTALITY IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the Geographical Analysis of Infant Mortality in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The objectives of the study were to examine socio-demographic factors of infant mortality in Egor Local Government Area; identify the causative/contributing factors of infant mortality in Egor; measure the infant mortality rates in the study area; and to examine the physical and infrastructural characteristics of health facilities in the study Area. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 16 health facilities across all the wards in the Local Government Area. All the questionnaires were all returned valid for analysis and the data collected was fed into the SPSS version 24. The data was analyzed using the frequency table, pie charts and bar graphs. Multiple Regression analytical technique was used to test the stated hypothesis, it was found that the infant mortality is on the decline in the study area as fewer infant deaths is being experienced in the study area. It was also discovered that that most of the health facilities in Egor Local Government Area are very functional in terms of rendering services to patients. It was also ascertained from the study that the socio-demographic characteristics of mothers is key in the issue of infant mortality. The study recommends that the government of the study area should avail more job opportunities to residents within the area so as to ensure that more mothers are gainfully employed within the study area as this would increase the incomes of parents thereby reducing infant mortality. Also recommended is that the government of Edo State should implement strategies to subsidize finances for infant health care and where possible provide free health care for them.