Child Malnutrition increases, Infant Mortality drops in Nigeria

The 5th Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS5) conducted in 2016 and 2017 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other key partners has indicated a nationwide drop in Infant Mortality and increase in Child Malnutrition in Nigeria.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale while unveiling the MICS5 reports in Abuja noted that such verifiable data is extremely important to the development outcome in Nigeria.

The result of the survey showed that Nigeria made significant improvements in some areas while other areas remain unchanged or have worsened since 2011 by not keeping pace with population growth when the last survey was conducted.

The Acting Representative for UNICEF in Nigeria, Pernille Ironside said the use of the new MICS5 data will improve the lives of Nigerians as it provides useful information about gaps that are impacting children and women so that appropriate actions can be taken.

Pernille said the findings of the survey are used for planning, monitoring and decision making on programmes and policies to address issues related to the well-being of children and women in Nigeria.

“Malnutrition among children under age five has worsened nationwide with the highest concerns in the northern states. Child wasting (children who are too thin for their age) increased from 24.2% to 31.5%, while child stunting (children who are too short for their age) increased from 34.8% to 43.6%.”

The results of the survey indicated that the infant mortality rate has dropped to 70 per 1000 live births from 97 in 2011. Equally, deaths among children under age five have dropped to 120 per 1000 live births from 158 in 2011. 

MICS5 is a recognised and definitive source of information for assessing the situation of children and women in the areas of Health; Nutrition; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH); Education; Protection; and HIV & AIDS amongst others.

Since 1995, UNICEF has supported the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), with technical assistance and funding to conduct five rounds of MICS, informing progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other major national and global commitments.

Pernille said the data for MICS5 was collected between September 2016 and January 2017 from 33,901 households in 2,239 enumeration areas across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory.

According to her “A total of 34,376 eligible women; 28,085 of mothers/caregivers of children under 5 years; and 15,183 men were interviewed using structured questionnaires aided by Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) devices.  This is the largest MICS survey conducted in Africa to date.”