Maternal and Child Health Trends in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of NDHS 2018 vs. NDHS 2023
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Background
Despite decades of intervention, Nigeria continues to face critical challenges in maternal and child health, ranking among the highest globally for maternal mortality and under-five deaths. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3.1 and 3.2 call for substantial reductions in these outcomes by 2030. Assessing national progress requires not only measuring quantitative indicators but also understanding contextual and systemic barriers that shape health access and equity.
Methods
This study adopted a mixed-methods design combining descriptive quantitative analysis of the NDHS 2018 and 2023–24 datasets with a thematic qualitative analysis using NVivo software. Five focus areas were assessed: maternal and under-five mortality, immunization coverage, exclusive breastfeeding and malnutrition, antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, and treatment-seeking behavior for childhood illnesses. Quantitative results were complemented with thematic insights drawn from NDHS narrative and policy sections to capture structural and community-level determinants.
Results
The under-five mortality rate declined from 132 to 102 deaths per 1,000 live births. Improvements were also observed in immunization coverage, exclusive breastfeeding (from 29% to 34%), and antenatal care attendance (from 57% to 68%). Skilled birth attendance rose to 52%, and treatment-seeking for childhood illnesses increased. However, maternal mortality data for 2023 were unavailable, and persistent disparities, particularly in rural and northern regions, remain evident. Qualitative analysis revealed themes of access barriers, mistrust in services, inconsistent program implementation, and gaps in data systems.
Conclusion
Nigeria has made measurable but uneven progress in maternal and child health. Structural challenges, regional inequities, and weak data governance continue to hinder national gains. A combination of integrated service delivery, targeted social protection, and equitable policy implementation is needed to accelerate progress toward SDG 3 targets.
