Authors :
Sani Bala; Dr. Anifat Abdurraheem
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/yxffarzn
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct699
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working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study examines the relationship between selected food-related cultural practices, herbal treatment, and infant mortality in Katsina State, Nigeria. The analysis is based on a descriptive survey involving women of child-bearing age and health-care providers drawn from Katsina, Daura, and Funtua. A sample of 384 participants was planned, while 302 completed questionnaires were retrieved and used for the quantitative analysis. Questionnaire and key-informant interview data were used to explore feeding practices and the use of traditional medicines in infant care. Regression results indicate that the item measuring traditional liquid feeding was statistically associated with the infant-mortality outcome (p = .003). For herbal treatment, the reported influence of traditional medicine and perceived side effects were also statistically significant (p < .001). The findings should be interpreted as associations rather than proof of causation because the study used a cross-sectional descriptive design and self-reported measures. The results remain important in a setting where Nigeria continues to experience a high burden of infant and under-five mortality. The paper recommends culturally sensitive nutrition counselling, stronger communication between families and health workers, and evidence-based regulation and pharmacovigilance for herbal products used in maternal and infant care.
Keywords :
Infant Mortality; Food Taboos; Complementary Feeding; Herbal Medicine; Cultural Practices; Katsina State.
References :
- Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning & United Nations Children's Fund. (2026). Situation analysis of children and adolescents in Nigeria, 2024. UNICEF Nigeria. https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/reports/situation-analysis-children-and-adolescents-nigeria-2024
- Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, National Population Commission [Nigeria], & ICF. (2025). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2024. FMoHSW, NPC, and ICF. https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR395/FR395.pdf
- Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. (2024). Guidelines for the renewal of certificate of registration of herbal remedies and dietary supplements made in Nigeria. NAFDAC. https://www.nafdac.gov.ng/
- United Nations Children's Fund. (2024). The State of Nigeria's Children 2024: Summary of the updated situation analysis of children and adolescents in Nigeria. UNICEF Nigeria. https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/reports/updated-situation-analysis-nigeria-2024
- World Health Organization. (2023a). WHO guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081864
- World Health Organization. (2023b). Exclusive breastfeeding for optimal growth, development and health of infants. WHO. https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/exclusive-breastfeeding
- World Health Organization. (2025a). Global traditional medicine strategy 2025–2034. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240113176
- World Health Organization. (2025b). WHO global report on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine 2024. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240111387
- World Health Organization. (2026). Infant and young child feeding. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
This study examines the relationship between selected food-related cultural practices, herbal treatment, and infant mortality in Katsina State, Nigeria. The analysis is based on a descriptive survey involving women of child-bearing age and health-care providers drawn from Katsina, Daura, and Funtua. A sample of 384 participants was planned, while 302 completed questionnaires were retrieved and used for the quantitative analysis. Questionnaire and key-informant interview data were used to explore feeding practices and the use of traditional medicines in infant care. Regression results indicate that the item measuring traditional liquid feeding was statistically associated with the infant-mortality outcome (p = .003). For herbal treatment, the reported influence of traditional medicine and perceived side effects were also statistically significant (p < .001). The findings should be interpreted as associations rather than proof of causation because the study used a cross-sectional descriptive design and self-reported measures. The results remain important in a setting where Nigeria continues to experience a high burden of infant and under-five mortality. The paper recommends culturally sensitive nutrition counselling, stronger communication between families and health workers, and evidence-based regulation and pharmacovigilance for herbal products used in maternal and infant care.
Keywords :
Infant Mortality; Food Taboos; Complementary Feeding; Herbal Medicine; Cultural Practices; Katsina State.
