Modelling the Spatial Distribution and the Factors Associated with Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria

Globally, the risk of a child dying before celebrating their fifth birthday is still high at 5.3 million deaths in 2018 alone. Nigeria among few countries that are yet to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target keeping under-5 death as low 25 per 1000 live births by 2030. A recent study found mortality rate with 1 8 Nigerian children reaching age 5. In this study, effect child’s spatial location on likelihood 5 was examined alongside other key covariates. Bayesian geo-additive regression models were fitted Demographic and Health Surveys data. Statistical inference based paradigm via Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation methods, assessed using deviance information criterion. Under-five varied significantly across locations Kebbi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi Gombe states having highest rates. The increased women primary education aged 38 years over. Other characteristics associated poverty, male child, birth weight multiple births. current has helped identify geographical ‘hotspots’ well factors driving inform effective design implementation timely efficient interventions.