Determinants of Childhood Immunization Coverage Among Children Aged 12-23 Months in Mara Division, Narok West Sub County, Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

Immunization has been shown to be one of the most cost effective health interventions worldwide, through which a number of serious childhood diseases have been successfully prevented or eradicated. WHO scaled it from 10% in 1974 to 80% in 1990 against smallpox. The study was to establish the factors that determine immunization coverage among children between the ages of 12-23 months in Mara Division, Narok West Sub-County. In seeking to determine the coverage, the study looked at both Demographic and Socio-Economic Factors associated with immunization coverage in the area. This was a cross-sectional survey study of children aged between 12-23 months among randomized health facilities within the study area of Mara Division, in Narok County. Information on Demographic and Socio-Economic Factors and immunization status of children aged 12-23 years of age was obtained from mothers and caretakers. A sample size of 421 respondents was involved in the target facilities with a response rate of 95%. The findings show a strong association between education and immunization. Mothers’ employment and occupations has shown a likelihood to seek immunization for their children. The study noted the significance of the place of child delivery with those born in health facilities with likelihoods of routine immunization. The study has equally shown that immunization uptake in the area has improved compared to previous reports showing a coverage of 65.9%. Out of these findings; the study concludes that, the Ministry of Health need to improve on supplemental immunization activities such as National Immunization Days (NIDs) and Catch-up campaigns that are already in place. These should be planned and regularly carried out based on how to improve routine immunization coverage and control out-breaks situations like Measles and Polio. In addition, the both the National and County Government should work with religious institutions and leaders especially in the Mara division, Narok West Sub-County so as to improve the uptake of vaccine. Educational programmes that can target poor and uneducated people should be put in place so that they are able to make informed decisions regarding immunization of their children.