CULTURAL PRACTICES AND INFANT MORTALITY IN WAMMAKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF SOKOTO STATE

Abstract

Save the children initiative (2014), estimated general infant mortality rate to be 100 deaths per 1,000 live births for the 2011 - 2014 period (NPC, 2014). Regionally, south east, south west, north east and northwest have infant mortality rates of 74, 81, 12 9 and 139 deaths per 1,000 live births respectively. Indicating the highest concentration in the North West (NPC, 2014).This research examines if there is any relationship between some cultural practices and infant death in Wamakko Local Government Area. T he town consist of 11 wards, in which six wards were selected out of the 11 wards. 100 women respondents were drawn on the basis of availability. The target population were married women who must have given birth at least once. The unit of analysis is marr ied women. The research’s critical variables are maternal rights, decision making, traditional circumcision and awareness. The type of data sought is quantitative (questionnaire). Simple percentage and chi - square in SPSS 20.1 version were used to test the hypothesis. Findings revealed that there is relationship between the levels of traditional circumcisions carried out by traditional experts and the higher level of infant mortality. And also, there is relationship between higher mother’s participation in d ecision making and the lower level of infant mortality in Wamakko. The research recommends thatthere should be proper awareness of the negative impact of some of these cultural practices on infant mortality should be created. The restrictions of maternal right should be reviewed and the female should be allowed more opportunity in decision making within the home.