Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset

Abstract Background Under-five mortality remains a significant public health issue in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various machine learning algorithms in predicting under-five mortality in Nigeria and identify the most relevant predictors. Methods The study u...

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Main Authors: Oduse Samuel, Temesgen Zewotir, Delia North
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-03-01
Series:BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02476-5
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author Oduse Samuel
Temesgen Zewotir
Delia North
author_facet Oduse Samuel
Temesgen Zewotir
Delia North
author_sort Oduse Samuel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Under-five mortality remains a significant public health issue in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various machine learning algorithms in predicting under-five mortality in Nigeria and identify the most relevant predictors. Methods The study used nationally representative data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The study evaluated the performance of the machine learning models such as the artificial neural network, k-nearest neighbourhood, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression using the true positive rate, false positive rate, accuracy, precision, F-measure, Matthew’s correlation coefficient, and the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics. Results The study found that machine learning models can accurately predict under-five mortality, with the Random Forest and Artificial Neural Network algorithms emerging as the best models, both achieving an accuracy of 89.47% and an AUROC of 96%. The results show that under-five mortality rates vary significantly across different characteristics, with wealth index, maternal education, antenatal visits, place of delivery, employment status of the woman, number of children ever born, and region found to be the top determinants of under-five mortality in Nigeria. Conclusions The findings suggest that machine learning models can be useful in predicting U5M in Nigeria with high accuracy. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing social, economic, and demographic disparities among the population in Nigeria. The study’s findings can inform policymakers and health workers about developing targeted interventions to reduce under-five mortality in Nigeria.
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spelling doaj.art-548b5e7814ca450284bf418f6c0b1c012024-03-31T11:22:37ZengBMCBMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making1472-69472024-03-0124111310.1186/s12911-024-02476-5Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 datasetOduse Samuel0Temesgen Zewotir1Delia North2School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-NatalAbstract Background Under-five mortality remains a significant public health issue in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various machine learning algorithms in predicting under-five mortality in Nigeria and identify the most relevant predictors. Methods The study used nationally representative data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The study evaluated the performance of the machine learning models such as the artificial neural network, k-nearest neighbourhood, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression using the true positive rate, false positive rate, accuracy, precision, F-measure, Matthew’s correlation coefficient, and the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics. Results The study found that machine learning models can accurately predict under-five mortality, with the Random Forest and Artificial Neural Network algorithms emerging as the best models, both achieving an accuracy of 89.47% and an AUROC of 96%. The results show that under-five mortality rates vary significantly across different characteristics, with wealth index, maternal education, antenatal visits, place of delivery, employment status of the woman, number of children ever born, and region found to be the top determinants of under-five mortality in Nigeria. Conclusions The findings suggest that machine learning models can be useful in predicting U5M in Nigeria with high accuracy. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing social, economic, and demographic disparities among the population in Nigeria. The study’s findings can inform policymakers and health workers about developing targeted interventions to reduce under-five mortality in Nigeria.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02476-5Under-five mortalityMachine learningNigeriaDemographic and health surveysDecision-making tools
spellingShingle Oduse Samuel
Temesgen Zewotir
Delia North
Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Under-five mortality
Machine learning
Nigeria
Demographic and health surveys
Decision-making tools
title Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
title_full Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
title_fullStr Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
title_full_unstemmed Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
title_short Application of machine learning methods for predicting under-five mortality: analysis of Nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
title_sort application of machine learning methods for predicting under five mortality analysis of nigerian demographic health survey 2018 dataset
topic Under-five mortality
Machine learning
Nigeria
Demographic and health surveys
Decision-making tools
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02476-5
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AT delianorth applicationofmachinelearningmethodsforpredictingunderfivemortalityanalysisofnigeriandemographichealthsurvey2018dataset