The health profile in an economy generally depicts the prevailing health situation.
Table 2.2 shows health status indicators in Nigeria and compares the figures to global average and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015 target. The figures show that in Nigeria, indicators of health status such as life expectancy, infant and under child mortality as well as maternal mortality have shown some improvements from 1990 to 2012.
The figures show that life expectancy at birth as at 1990 was 47 years. In 2005 it improved to 49 years and further to 52 years in 2012. In the same vein, infant mortality per 1,000 live births reduced from 126 in 1990 to 97 in 2005. It further dropped to 78 in 2012. Similarly, under-five mortality per 1,000 live births was approximately 90 as at 1990. The figure declined to about 68 in 2005 and again to 48 in 2012. Likewise, maternal mortality per 100,000 live births declined from 1,200 in 1990 to about 740 in 2005. The figures dropped further to approximately 560 in 2012.
Although there have been improvements in health status indicators in Nigeria, comparison of health status in relation to global average figures shows that health conditions in Nigeria is still in poor state. For instance the world average figure of life expectancy was 62 years in 1990 and 70 years in 2012. Figures of life expectancy in Nigeria were apparently lower at 47 and 52 years in 1990 and 2012 respectively. This shows that estimates of life expectancy in Nigeria as at 2012 was still lower than world figure in 1990. Again, global average infant mortality figures per 100,000 live births was about 63 and declined to about 36 in 2012. Figures for Nigeria were 126 in 1990 and 78 in 2012. This again shows that infant mortality estimates in Nigeria more than doubled existing global figures. Global figures for under-five mortality per 1,000 live births were 90 in 1990 and 48 in 2012. Figures for Nigeria were 213 and 124 in 1990 and 2012 respectively. In Nigeria, under-five mortality also more than doubled world estimates. World estimates of maternal mortality was approximately 380 per 100,000 live births in 1990. In 2010 it dropped to about 230. Estimates for Nigeria were shown
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to be 1,200 in 1990 and 610 in 2010. This shows that maternal mortality is also outstandingly high in Nigeria.
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Table2.2 Indicators of Health Status: Estimates for Nigeria, Global Average and MDG and SDG Target
Description/Year 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012
Decline
% (1990-2012)
MDG target
SDG target
Life Expectancy at birth (years) Nigeria
Global average
47
62
47
64
47
65
49
65
52
68
52
70
n/a n/a n/a
Infant Mortality(per 1,000 live births) Nigeria
Global average
126
63
124
60
113
51
97
44
82
38
78
36
38
43
Two third reductions (67%)
End preventable deaths of new born
Under Five
Mortality (per 1,000 live births) ) Nigeria
Global average 213
90
209
85
188
75
159
68
131
52
124
48
42 47
Two third reductions (67%)
End preventable deaths of under-five aged children
Maternal Mortality ratio
(per 100,000 live births) ) Nigeria Global average
1,200
380
1100
360
950
330
740
270
610
230
560*
n/a 49
40
Three quarter reduction (75%)
Reduce global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 1,000,000 live births Note:
1. Country estimates are from World Bank indicators
2. Global estimates are derived from UNICEF global data base 2014, UNDP 2007 and WHO 2014.
3. n/a signifies not available
4. Decline in maternal mortality was computed for the periods 1990 to 2010 due to inability to obtain global figures.
5. * Attached to maternal mortality figure for 2012 is an indication that it was not used in computation of decline in maternal mortality as shown in the table. This is to enable comparison of figures with global average. Global decline was computed from 1990-2010.
Sources: UNDP (2007); WHO (2014); UNICEF (2014); World Bank; (2014); UN (2015)
In an attempt to improve global health situation and developmental prospects, the World Bank instituted target estimates for health status indicators. These projections
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are included in the MDGs. The targets include 67% reduction in infant and under-five mortality per 1000 live births and 75% decline in maternal mortality per 100,000 live births between 1990 and 2015. The MDG has been expanded into the SDGs at the end of 2015. The SDG targets are built on the goals of MDG to achieve sustainable development by 2030. Among the 17 goals of SDG, the third goal which relates to ensuring healthy lives and promotion of well-being for all ages intends to end preventable deaths for infants and under-five aged children. The targets also includes reduction in maternal mortality per 100,000 live births to less than 70 at the end of 2030 (UN, 2015).
Comparing the MDG targets with figures of health status for Nigeria and world estimates reveals that world figures were closer to MDG goals than Nigeria. Globally, infant and under-five mortality per 1,000 live births respectively fell by 43% and 47%
between 1990 and 2012. Figures for Nigeria show that infant and under-five mortality per 1,000 live births dropped by about 38% and 42% respectively. To have attained the MDG target in 2015, estimates for infant and under-five mortality in Nigeria is required to fall respectively further by 29% and 25% within a space of three years.
Global records for maternal mortality per 100,000 live births dropped by about 40%
from 1990 to 2010. Figures for Nigeria showed a 40% decline over the same period.
This shows higher reduction for maternal mortality in Nigeria relative to world decline, nonetheless, it remains high in Nigeria compared to world estimates.
Achievement of the MDG target for maternal mortality in Nigeria would have necessitated 26% further reduction in maternal deaths from 2010 to 2015. The trend in health status indicators in Nigeria was a pointer to small probabilities of achieving the MDG targets in the country.
Global average figures for decline in infant mortality did not meet the MDG target.
The figures are about 24% away from reaching the MDG. Revision of the target for infant mortality in the SDG requires reduction of infant mortality mainly through ensuring end of preventable deaths. Figures for infant mortality in Nigeria were about 29% away from the MDG and show less chances of achieving the SDG in relation to global figures. Similarly, global estimates of under-five mortality was about 20% from attaining the MDG target and that for Nigeria was approximately 25% from reaching MDG. This difference also shows less tendency of reaching the SDG goal of
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eradicating morality of preventable deaths in Nigeria in relation to global chances. The figures show more chances of achieving the SDG for under-five than infant mortality due to closer averages of the latter to the MDG.
Examination of maternal mortality in Nigeria in relation to the SDG shows slim chances of achieving the goal. Maternal mortality recorded lowest figures of about 560 per 100,000 live births in 2012. Meeting the SDG goal for maternal mortality in Nigeria implies reduction of maternal mortality by above 490 per 100,000 live births in 2030.