Abstract Background: Perinatal mortality remains a critical public health concern in Nigeria, serving as a key indicator of maternal and child health outcomes. Despite efforts to reduce perinatal deaths, rates remain high, reflecting persistent healthcare disparities and socio-economic inequalities. Understanding the role of female migration in shaping perinatal mortality is crucial, as migration influences healthcare access, social support systems, and economic stability. However, research on migration and perinatal mortality in Nigeria remains limited. This study explores how different female migration patterns impact perinatal mortality, providing insights into potential policy and healthcare interventions. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), analyzing a weighted sample of 33,083 women aged 15-49 years. Female migration was categorized into six groups: rural-rural, rural-urban, urban-rural, urban-urban migrants, rural non-migrants, and urban non-migrants. Various socio-demographic factors were considered as potential confounders. Data analysis involved univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical techniques to examine associations between migration patterns and perinatal mortality. Results: The prevalence of perinatal mortality in Nigeria was 40.28%, highlighting a significant public health burden. Among the study population, 45.41% were internal migrants. Rural-urban migrants had a lower likelihood of perinatal mortality than rural-rural migrants, likely due to better healthcare access and socio-economic opportunities in urban areas. Increasing maternal age was protective, while easier healthcare access reduced perinatal mortality risk. However, attending more than four antenatal care visits was linked to higher odds of perinatal mortality, suggesting healthcare quality concerns. Muslim women faced higher perinatal mortality risk than Christians, possibly due to cultural practices like early marriage. Conclusions: Female migration patterns play a significant role in perinatal mortality outcomes in Nigeria. Improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in rural areas, and addressing cultural and systemic healthcare challenges are essential for reducing perinatal mortality. Targeted policy interventions focusing on maternal education, healthcare quality, and culturally sensitive health programs are crucial for mitigating perinatal mortality among migrant and non-migrant populations.
Agboola et al. (Thu,) studied this question.