The National Population Commission (NPC) has submitted the 2014 Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) survey with a call on the need to discourage early marriage as majority of the deaths occur among parents who married early with little or no education.
The survey, which was conducted by the commission in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health and the National Bureau of Statistics, shows that the north recorded the highest number of home assisted deliveries with 73 percent as against 24 percent in the south.
The survey, which also revealed that more than 57 percent of the neonatal deaths occurred at home, put the figure of such deaths which occurred during the first week of life at 72 percent and 79 percent in the northern and southern region respectively.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of the report of the survey, Chairman of the commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, described the data as wide-ranging, which he noted, offers significant insights into the causes and circumstances of child mortality in Nigeria.
“The report has shown clearly that some of the causes of the deaths are preventable through proper intervention programs that will among other things, improve access to health-care services, improved sanitation and access to reproductive health services.”While calling for a deep reflection and wide ranging health and social reforms on the report by planners at national, state and local government levels, the NPC boss expressed hope that the step would reduce child mortality and improve the living conditions of the people.