Abstract
IntroductionImmunization is one of the most effective interventions to prevent disease and early child death. A substantial number of children worldwide do not complete immunization schedules because neither health services nor conventional communication mechanisms regularly reach their communities. Knowledge and perception of mothers/caregivers regarding VPDs influence demand and utilization of immunization services. We examined the associations between knowledge, perception and information on routine immunization received by mothers/caregivers in Kaduna State.MethodsWe enrolled 379 eligible caregivers in a community-based cross-sectional study. We sampled respondents using multistage sampling technique. We collected data on socio-demographic characteristics; knowledge and perception on routine immunization using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. We conducted bivariate analysis and logistic regression using Epi-InfoTM version 7 at 5% level of significance.ResultsMean age of respondents was 28.6 years (standard deviation=±6.6 years), 34% completed secondary school, 65% were unemployed, 49% lived in rural settlements. Among respondents' children 53.3% were females and 62.8% fell within 2nd-5th birth order. Only 15.6% of these children were fully immunized. Seventy-five percent of respondent did not obtain information on routine immunization within 12 months prior to the study. About 64% had unsatisfactory knowledge while 55.4% exhibited poor perceptions regarding routine immunization. Commonest source of information was radio (61.61%). On logistic regression educated participants (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3), mothers' perception (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.5-4.5) and monogamous family setting (AOR=2.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.6) were likely to have obtained information on routine immunization.ConclusionThere is low access to information, poor maternal knowledge on routine immunization with low vaccination coverage in this community. Efforts should be made by the Governments to scale up sensitization of mothers/caregivers to improve their knowledge on routine immunization through radio jingles.
Highlights
Immunization is one of the safest and most effective interventions to prevent disease and early child death [1]
Mothers or caregivers are less likely to complete immunization schedules if they are poorly informed about the need for immunization, logistics and the appropriate series of vaccines to be followed [5,6]
Our study found that majority of mothers had not obtained information on and possessed poor knowledge on routine immunization in Kaduna State Nigeria
Summary
Immunization is one of the safest and most effective interventions to prevent disease and early child death [1]. Threequarters of the world's child population is reached with the required vaccines, only half of the children in sub-Saharan Africa get access to basic immunization [2]. A substantial number of children worldwide do not complete immunization schedules because neither health services nor conventional communication mechanisms regularly reach their communities [3]. Mothers or caregivers are less likely to complete immunization schedules if they are poorly informed about the need for immunization, logistics (which includes time, date and place of vaccination) and the appropriate series of vaccines to be followed [5,6]. Knowledge in itself is insufficient to create demand, poor knowledge about the need for vaccination and when the vaccination is due is a good indicator of poor compliance [7]. 10% of children in the North West Nigeria are fully immunized, compared to 52% of children in the South East and South West geopolitical zones despite the numerous vaccination campaigns in the area [9]
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