| A population-based study of effect of multiple birth on infant mortality in Nigeria. |
| Authors: |
Uthman OA, Uthman MB, Yahaya I |
| Source: |
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth , 2008; 8(1):41 |
| Topic(s): |
Infant mortality
Multiple birth
|
| Country: |
Africa
Nigeria
|
| Published: |
SEP 2008 |
| Abstract: |
Background: Multi-foetal pregnancies and multiple births including twins and higher order
multiples births such as triplets and quadruplets are high-risk pregnancy and birth. These high-risk groups contribute to the higher rate of childhood mortality especially during early period of life.
Methods: We examined the relationship between multiple births and infant mortality using
univariable and multivariable survival regression procedure with Weibull hazard function, controlling for child's sex, birth order, prenatal care, delivery assistance; mother's age at child birth,
nutritional status, education level; household living conditions and several other risk factors.
Results: Children born multiple births were more than twice as likely to die during infancy as infants born singleton (hazard ratio = 2.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.50, 3.19) holding other factors constant. Maternal education and household asset index were associated with lower risk of infant mortality.
Conclusion: Multiple births are strongly negatively associated with infant survival in Nigeria
independent of other risk factors. Mother's education played a protective role against infant death.
This evidence suggests that improving maternal education may be key to improving child survival
in Nigeria. A well-educated mother has a better chance of satisfying important factors that can
improve infant survival: the quality of infant feeding, general care, household sanitation, and
adequate use of preventive and curative health services. |
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