The Application of Life Table Functions: A Demographic Study

Abstract

Life table is a key summary tool for assessing and comparing mortality conditions prevailing in populations. It is also a veritable tool for the study of mortality experience in a population. Hence, this paper has extended its application to infant survival pattern, using data on infant mortality collected from University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Enugu for a period of ten years; from 1998 to 2007. The application of the life table function was used to generate the periodic life table for the period under study, which made it possible to examine the mortality condition of the target population. The survival curve plotted follows the type 111 curve indicating situation in a population that has most of its mortality among the young. This calls for the attention of health officials to intensify their effort towards overcoming the challenges of infant mortality in Enugu State of Nigeria.