The Demographic, Socio-Cultural and Economic Dimensions of the Practice of Vital Registration in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Reliable demographic data is required to assist in national planning and development. Vital event registration provides an opportunity for the continuous collection, recording, collation, analysis, presentation and distribution of data on the occurrences and characteristics of vital events, such as live birth, death, foetal death, marriage, divorce, adoption, legitimization of birth, recognition of parenthood, annulment of marriage, or legal separation the continuous. Vital registration has the advantage of being continuous, as different from censuses and surveys which are conducted at time intervals. The study assessed the influence of demographic, socio-cultural and economic characteristics on the practice of vital FCT. The study obtained primary data from questionnaires administered to 1,266 residents selected through a multistage sampling process. The data were analysed using STATA version 12 and the result was presented using descriptive statistical tools in the form of tables, simple percentages, charts, qualitative analytical methods, and bivariate analysis. Overall, 72.8% of residents had registered a vital event (birth or death) in the FCT. The probit regression of the data indicated that respondents’ demographic, socio-cultural and economic characteristics significantly influenced the practice of vital registration. Married respondents as well as respondents with higher education and income levels were observed to have registered for more vital events than those with lower educational and income levels.