Educational Attainment, Unemployment, Nutritional Intakes and Health Status in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: The study explored the effects of educational attainment, unemployment, and nutritional intake on health status in Nigeria, utilising data from the 2018/2019 Nigeria Living Standard Survey.

Methodology: Health status was measured by the number of days individuals reported experiencing illness. The analysis employed an instrumental variable estimation technique (2SLS).

Results: The findings revealed that educational attainment has a positive and statistically significant (p < 0.01) effect on the incidence of illness days, whereas unemployment is associated with an increase in the number of ill days (p < 0.01). Furthermore, adequate nutrition intake is associated with a reduction in illness days or hospitalisation (p < 0.01). This indicates that higher education attainment enhances health status, while unemployment worsens it, and sound nutrition contributes positively to health outcomes.

Novelty and contribution: The study provides microeconomic evidence of educational attainment, employment status, and nutritional intake as essential causal factors influencing health status in Nigeria

Social implications: The study informs the government and relevant stakeholders in formulating policies that facilitate greater access to education, expand employment opportunities, and enhance the quality of food intake to elevate the health status of the people in Nigeria. Also, the government should implement targeted strategies to improve both mental and physical health, to promote health status and boost socio-economic growth and development in Nigeria.