Predictors of Adherence to Routine Immunization Schedule Among Caretakers of Children Aged 10 to 18 Months in Lira City, Uganda

Abstract

Background Although the majority of nations have routine immunization programs in place as a public health strategy, more than 1.5 million children under the age of 5 die yearly worldwide due to inadequate vaccination coverage. This study investigated the predictors of adherence to routine immunization schedules in Lira city. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among 420 caretakers of children aged 10 to 18 months. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictors of adherence to the full immunization schedule. A P-value > .05 was considered statistically significant at 95% CI. Results The study result indicated that the majority, 237 (56.4%) of caretakers were aged 25 to 34 years, 205 (48.8%) had attained primary level education, and 284 (67.6%) were married. The results showed that 365 (87.0%) had their children fully immunized. The predictors of adherence to full immunization schedule were knowledge on when to start vaccination (AOR:5.65; 95% CI:1.82-17.55; P = .003), maternal outcome expectations (AOR:3.45; 95% CI:1.16-10.29; P = .03) and maternal knowledge (AOR:2.15; 95% CI:1.18-3.90; P = .01). Conclusion The study findings show that 9 in 10 of the caregivers adhered to the immunization schedule. The significant predictors of adherence to full immunization were flexible clinical hours, maternal outcome expectations and maternal knowledge. Based on the conclusions we recommend that government and service providers be flexible in clinic hours and continue health education to women of childbearing age at an early stage, especially during antenatal care visits, delivery and the postnatal period on childhood vaccination to maintain adherence to the routine immunization schedule.

Timely vaccination and its associated factors among parents with children aged from 0-23 months in Wolaita Zone Public hospitals, southern Ethiopia, 2024: a facility-based cross-sectional study

“…The possible reason for the discrepancy might be due to difference in study period, geographical location, methodological, quality of EPI service, and care giver's attitude and knowledge toward timely vaccination. Current study is lower than study done in Ghana 87.5% [19], 94% in Israrel [20], 82% in Philadelphia [21], and 87% in Uganda [24]. Study participants, geographical location, methodological differences, participant's socio-demographic characteristics, policy and strategy, women perception, infrastructure, and quality of EPI service could be possible cause for the difference.…”

“…Based on the following assumptions, the sample size was calculated using a population proportion calculation formula. A 95% con dence interval (CI), an error rate of 5%, and a population proportion of 44% were taken from the previous study [24]. Based on the calculations, 378 participants were needed for the study.…”

“…Previous literature shows that 87.5% in Ghana, 94% in Israel, 82% in Philadelphia, 64% in Ethiopia, 71% in New Zealand and 87% in Uganda were vaccinated on time [19]- [24]. Previous studies have shown that the timeliness of vaccination is associated with place of delivery, lower education level, antenatal care visits, unplanned pregnancy and male gender of the child, and the oldest age of the mother/caregiver, maternal age, vaccine hesitancy, multipara, residency, and the poorest quintile.…”