ISSN 2756-3820
International Journal of Medical Sociology and Anthropology ISSN 2756-3820 Vol. 14 (3), pp. 001-011, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Predictors of Health Outcomes in Children Under Five: Evidence from Abia State, Nigeria
Imo Chukwuechefulam Kingsley1, Isiugo-Abanihe Uche Charlie2 and Chikezie David Chidi3
1Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko-Akungba, P.
M. B. 001, Ondo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
3Department of Statistics, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
Accepted 10 September, 2025
Socioeconomic factors have been identified as affecting all aspects of peoples’ lives; and it is intricately linked to the demographic proce ss. They are strong predictors of infant and child health outcome in most developing countrie s. This paper examined socioeconomic determinants of under-five children health outcome with data from a sample of 609 women of childbearing age in rural and urban areas of Abia State. The study utilized explanatory study de sign involving survey research with a multi - stage sampling technique and a methodological triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative techniques was adopted in gathering the data. The respondents’ age was 32.6±5. 8 years, 84.6% were married/living together, 55.0% had secondary education, while 42.7% were in paid/civil service jobs. Incidence of under-five mortality declined sharply a s mother’s level of education increase s. Urban respondents who were in paid or civil service jobs had more incidence of under-five mortality compared to their rural counterparts. The likelihood of experiencing under-five morbidity and mortality significantly reduced with higher levels of mother’s education (Odds-Ratio (OR): 0.08) and increased with paid/civil service and farming/petty trading jobs (OR: 2.35 and OR: 2.08, respec tively). The outcome of an under-five child’s health depends on socio-economic factors. Maternal socioeconomic factors cannot be employed as a proxy for general social and economic change, but must be examined as important forces in their own rights.
Key words: Under-five health outcome, socioeconomic, childbearing mothers in Abia State.