THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND DEATH PATTERN OF THE PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study describes the characteristics of the people of Lagos State, Nigeria in relation to death patterns using simple descriptive analysis and tests of hypotheses. From the death records of 6,269 individuals, obtained from four randomly selected. Local Government Areas (LGA), it was discovered that there is a significant gender difference in the number of deaths recorded during the period (2000-2004) and that many residents died at the age of 35 years. Though, the mean age at death was found to be 49.90 years, the life expectancy at birth was 50.41 years, which does not depart significantly from 51.6 years recorded in the year 2000 Life Table of the World Health Organization (WHO) for both sexes. The result shows that there is significant difference in mortality across age groups and also that mortality is higher in the 30 to 59 years age category than any other group in the population. It was also found that there is significant. difference in mortality across occupational groups and that mortality is higher among traders than any other occupational category. Apart from Lagosians, most of the deceased in the study area come from the neighboring states of Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti. This corroborates the thesis of the Ravenstains Distance Decay Theory, which states that most migration takes place over a short distance. The test of hypotheses in this case shows that there is significant difference in mortality among the migrant groups and that those whose place of birth is Lagos State record higher mortality than those born outside of Lagos State, Nigeria.