NPC launches survey to tackle child, maternal mortality

The National Population Commission has launched the 2024 Verbal and Social Autopsy survey, which aims to identify the causes of under-five and maternal mortality in Nigeria.

The study, which began on November 4, 2024, and would run until December 15, 2024, was being conducted across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The VASA survey seeks to gather data on neonatal, infant, and child mortality by examining the cultural, behavioural, social, and health system factors contributing to deaths among children under five and women of reproductive age.

The data will be used to help policymakers design effective health policies and programmes focused on improving maternal and child health in Nigeria.

The NPC Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, stated the importance of the VASA study during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Kwarra explained that the survey, built on data gathered from the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, where a random sample of households with recorded under-five deaths was selected for follow-up.

He said, “The 2024 edition of the VASA survey is the third in the series conducted by the National Population Commission. The first time the study was conducted in Nigeria was in 2014, and subsequently, in 2019.

“NPC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, is conducting the 2024 VASA study to assist policymakers with reliable data to plan and formulate policies for the health sector about maternal and child health in Nigeria.

“The result of the study will provide national and zonal level estimates of the major causes of under-five and maternal mortality in the country. Furthermore, it will make available patterns of care-seeking, social factors, and interventions received as related to deaths in children less than five years of age, along with qualitative narratives of factors associated with these patterns.”

A total of 26 teams, consisting of four female interviewers, one team supervisor, and one quality manager each, have been dispatched to survey the country.