KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF BIRTH REGISTRATION AMONG CAREGIVERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN DAURAWA COMMUNITY, TARAUNI LGA KANO STATE

. A birth certificate is the most visible evidence of a government’s legal recognition of the existence of a child as a member of society. Indeed, a birth certificate is the document that generally determines the nationality of the child, as many countries grant nationality according to place of birth. National Population Commission (NPC) has been registering vital events since the year 1988, yet available records show that majority of Nigerians are still unaware of the importance of vital registration and so are not registering vital events.8 Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). However, many children in Kano, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas, lack access to birth registration services, leaving them vulnerable to marginalization and exclusion.12 In Kano, where population growth is rapid with an annual birth rate which is estimated to be around 32-35 births per 1,000 population. This translates to approximately 220,000 - 240,000 births per year, based on the estimated population of Kano State, which is around 6.8 million people and birth registration rates remaining low, with only about 30% of births registered in 2020.18 This raises concerns about the accuracy of population data, hindering effective planning and resource allocation. Research on birth registration within the community can identify the socio-cultural, economic, and administrative barriers to registration, and inform strategies to improve registration rates. This can include exploring the role of traditional birth attendants, community leaders, and healthcare providers in promoting birth registration. this research can contribute to the global effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16.9, which aims to ensure legal identity for all, including birth registration.19