Assessment of healthcare worker’s implementation of childhood routine immunization in primary healthcare centers in Edo State, Nigeria: A mixed method survey

Abstract

The role of the health care personnel in the delivery of immunization services is very important in achieving the target of immunization coverage of 90% given by the world Health Organisation (WHO). The objective of the study was to determine the challenges affecting healthcare worker’s implementation of immunization services in Primary Healthcare Care (PHC) centres in Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design, with a mixed method of data collection approach (incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods) using an interviewer administered questionnaire among 295 respondents (comprised of 270 health care providers, 7 key informants and 18 supervisors) of immunization activities in the various health care facilities for the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using the International Business Machine statistical package for Social Science (IBM) version 21.0 while themes occurring in the qualitative data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Logistic regression was calculated to determine odds ratio and level of significance was set at <0.05. This study showed that good knowledge of immunization. age, training on the implementation of immunization, and designation affected their knowledge of immunization, and some of the challenges encountered were insufficient workers and transport for outreach activities, funding and impress, lack of motivation. Health worker’s knowledge of immunization was good, majority were trained on implementation on immunization services but there were still numerous challenges such as insufficient workers and transportation which must be addressed to strengthen and improve immunization service delivery.