Mothers’ Socioeconomic Status and Malaria Morbidity among Under-Five Children in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence of malaria morbidity among under-five children in South Western
Nigeria, and examined the relationship between mothers’ socioeconomic characteristics and malaria
morbidity among them. It also assessed the pattern of health seeking behaviour for malaria morbidity
by mothers in the region. These were with a view to identifying the underlying factors associated
with mothers’ socioeconomic status (age, education and wealth index) and malaria morbidity among
under-five children in South Western Nigeria. Primary data were obtained through in-depth
interview (IDI) of women of childbearing age (15 - 49) who had had at least a child within the last
five years. Also, secondary data were used through Nigeria malaria indicator survey (MIS 2010) of
women who had a child within the last five years. The results showed 24% malaria prevalence
among mothers from rich index household; 33% from middle index household; and 15% from poor
index household. Result further showed that age of mothers (χ2 = 22.071; p<0.05); education (χ2=
11.533; p<0.05); and wealth index (χ2= 14.759; p<0.05) were the socioeconomic and demographic
characteristics of mothers that showed significant association with malaria incidence. The study
concluded that mother's socioeconomic status (age, education and wealth index) were important
underlying factors associated with the prevalence of malaria among under-five children. The study
recommended that women should be encourage to take their children to government hospital first
rather than self-medication