Socio-Cultural Context and Civil Registration of Under-Five Children in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria

Vital statistics play a crucial role in development planning and effective utilization of resources in any nation, hence the need for the effective participation of citizens in civil registration. However, in Nigeria, effective civil registration has been marred by the socio-cultural environment and other contextual factors. This study investigated the influence of socio-cultural environment on the registration of births and deaths of under-5 children in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study examined the influence of cultural beliefs about maternal and child health, health seeking behaviour, poverty and administration of civil registration on under-5 children births and deaths. Primary data was gathered through 30in-depth and 3 key informant interviews conducted on child bearing women (18-49 years) and civil registrars respectively, as well as 6 focus group discussions with community members. Data were transcribed verbatim and transcripts analysed using NVivo version 12, based on pre-determined themes derived from study objectives. Findings reveal the negative influence of cultural beliefs about maternal and child health, health seeking behaviour, poverty, and civil registration administration on the registration of under-5 children births and deaths. To improve the civil registration of under-5 children, the study recommends intensification of awareness campaigns on the importance, usefulness and procedure of registering under-5 children; deconstructing the cultural myth surrounding maternal and child health; encouraging the use of formal health facilities for maternal and childcare; in centivizing delivery in formal health facilities and siting of registration points across communities, in order to facilitate ease of access.