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Background High maternal mortality ratio in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been linked to inadequate medical care for pregnant women due to limited health facility delivery utilization. Thus, this study, examined the association between age at first childbirth and health facility delivery among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Methods The study used the most recent secondary dataset from Nigeria’s Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted in 2018. Only women aged15-49 were considered for the study (N = 34,193). Bi-variate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between age at first birth and place of delivery. The results were presented as crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results The results showed that the prevalence of health facility deliveries was 41% in Nigeria. Women who had their first birth below age 20 [aOR = 0.82; 95%(CI = 0.74–0.90)] were less likely to give birth at health facilities compared to those who had their first birth at age 20 and above. Conclusion Our findings suggest the need to design interventions that will encourage women of reproductive age in Nigeria who are younger than 20 years to give birth in health facilities to avoid the risks of maternal complications associated with home delivery. Such interventions should include male involvement in antenatal care visits and the education of both partners and young women on the importance of health facility delivery.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under 5 years of age. In August 2020, Nigeria was declared free of the wild poliovirus by the WHO and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This review assesses the available evidence on issues with Nigeria's efforts and challenges towards the fight against poliomyelitis such as the wild poliovirus (WPV) and vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV). Published grey literature was assessed to make this minireview. No restriction on publication dates was applied during the literature search. Available data showed efforts such as strong government accountability framework; introduction of geographic information systems to ensure more efficient utilization of resources and coverage; the digitalization of vaccine delivery; optimal utilization of disease notification officers (DNOs) at every unit of the local government; commitment of resources from the federal government to states that were prone to the reoccurrence of Polio; improved social mobilization, supervision, and monitoring; as well as assistance from international organizations were deplored. Some of the notable challenges faced with the eradication of polio include the refusal of parents to consent to vaccinations for their children, reoccurrences due to poor supplies of potable water, religious bias from the northern region, differential routines, and supplemental immunization coverage. The lessons learned in polio eradication can be channeled into the elimination of other diseases, but efforts must be in place to continue to monitor the reoccurrence of polio and other emerging diseases through surveillance systems.