Climate Change and Maternal Mortality in Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between climate change and maternal mortality in Nigeria, employing a quantitative research approach with secondary data spanning from 1990 to 2023. The analysis incorporates variables such as maternal mortality ratio (MMR), annual average temperature (TEMP), total annual rainfall (RAIN), healthcare access (HCA), and poverty rate (POV). Data sources include the World Bank, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), World Health Organisation (WHO), and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is utilised to examine both short-run and long-run dynamics, following a comprehensive methodology that includes descriptive statistics, unit root tests, and ARDL bounds testing. Findings revealed that rising temperatures significantly increase maternal mortality in both short and long terms, highlighting the adverse effects of extreme heat on maternal health. Increased rainfall shows a marginally beneficial impact on maternal mortality in the short run, while in the long run, it contributes positively to health outcomes. Enhanced healthcare access consistently reduces maternal mortality, emphasising the importance of quality healthcare services.. Recommendations include developing heatwave response plans, investing in flood prevention, expanding healthcare access, and implementing socio-economic support initiatives. Strengthening data collection and research, promoting inter-sectoral collaboration, and enhancing emergency preparedness are essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change on maternal health in Nigeria.