Investigating Factors Associated with Immunization Incompletion of Children Under Five in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria: Implication for Policy Dialogue

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate factors associated with immunization incompletion of children under 5 years in Ebonyi state, Southeastern part of Nigeria. Method. A cross-sectional and a cluster sampling design were implemented; 400 women of childbearing age in families with children between 0 to 59 months of age were interviewed in Ebonyi state. Demographic characteristics of the child and mother, the child’s immunization history, and reasons for partial immunization were obtained with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA with SPSS version 23 and hypothesis tested at P < .05. Results. Findings revealed that 180 (48.1%) females, and 194 (51.9%) males’ children were immunized; Less than half 155 (41.9%) of the children had 1 missed dose, considered as partial immunization cases indicating low coverage. Of the reasons given for incomplete immunization mothers, mothers agreed that immunization centers are far from home (x̄ = 2.55 ± 0.92). This reason significantly affects mothers who were young (≤20 years) ( x = 2.86 ± 0.94; P = .018), single ( x = 2.84 ± 1.05; 0.037), had secondary education ( x = 2.65 ± 1.08;0.000), students (2.89 ± 1.08; P = .000), poor ( x = 2.63 ± 1.05; P = .009), and primiparous ( x = 2.50 ± 1.08; P = .036) are more affected and they agreed (grand mean >2.50). Conclusion. Immunization coverage was low, and far location from health facility was indicted thus policy implementers should locate health facilities close to homes. also health education on the importance of immunization should be given to mothers especially those who are young and has low socio-economic status.

Determinants of defaulter to full vaccination among children aged 12–23 months in Siraro district, West Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: a case-control study

“…The odds of the defaulter to full vaccinations of the children were 3.6 times more likely among unable to read and write educational status of child fathers as compared to those who attended secondary [ 9 – 12 ] and above education (AOR = 3.66, 95% CI:1.29–10.39). The child born from mothers /caretakers who had spent time taken to reach a health facility greater than 30 min were 2.45 times higher odds of the defaulter to full vaccination than those mothers/caretakers who spent less than or equal to 30 min (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI:1.51–3.97).…”

“…In most of these countries, poor functioning health service delivery systems, difficult topography, and armed conflict prevent the efforts to meet immunization targets, especially for children living in hard-to-reach areas [ 4 ]. Most children die because they do not access effective interventions that would combat common and preventable childhood illnesses [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Comparing full immunisation status of children (0–23 months) between slums of Kampala City and the rural setting of Iganga District in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

“…However, other studies have shown the contrary that married women tend to have their children fully immunised as well. This is because married women tend to have better healthcare-seeking behaviour [ 47 , 48 ]. Moreover, the involvement of the partner could contribute to the financial support and the utilisation of healthcare.…”

Determinants of childhood immunization among rural mothers in Nigeria

“…Children in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to have the highest rates of mortality in the world at 74 (68-86) deaths per 1000 live births 4 . Due to the low immunity that commonly characterizes childhood age, children are particularly vulnerable, and the mortality of children aged <5 years mainly caused by malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, pertussis, measles, meningitis, and infectious disease attacks 5,6 . To reduce infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) among children, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government have developed an Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to improve and strengthen regular immunization coverage across member nations 7 .…”

“…Immunization is the process of improving the first line of defence against vaccinepreventable infections, as well as one of the most effective health benefits for lowering mortality rates of children 7 . Immunization against polio, as well as rubella, meningitis, measles, diarrhea, and pneumonia, has considerably reduced the occurrence of disabilities such as mental retardation, hearing loss or deafness, meningitis, intellectual disability, and mobility impairment 5 . However, there has been low uptake of immunization in Nigeria especially in rural areas 8,9 .…”