Abstract
This paper investigates the factors associated with childhood immunization in Uganda. We used nationally-representative data from Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) of 2006. Both bivariate and multivariate approaches were employed in the analysis. The bivariate approach involved generating average percentages of children who were immunized, with analysis of pertinent background characteristics. The multivariate approach involved employing maximum likelihood probit technique and generating marginal effects to ascertain the probability of being immunized, given the same background characteristics. It revealed that slightly over 50% of children in Uganda were fully immunized. Additionally, 89%, 24%, 52%, and 64% received BCG, DPT, polio and measles vaccines respectively. Factors which have a significant association with childhood immunization are: maternal education (especially at post-secondary level), exposure to media, maternal healthcare utilization, maternal age, occupation type, immunization plan, and regional and local peculiarities. Children whose mothers had post-secondary education were twice as likely to be fully immunized compared to their counterparts whose mothers had only primary education (p < 0.01). Thus, gender parity in education enhancement efforts is crucial. There is also a need to increase media penetration, maternal healthcare utilization, and to ensure parity across localities and regions.
Highlights
Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert 2 to 3 million deaths each year
On average, 54% of children in Uganda were fully immunized, 89% received a full dose of BCG, 24% received DPT, 52% received polio, and 64% received the measles vaccine
The percentage of immunized children increased with maternal education; 63% of children whose mothers had post-secondary education were immunized compared to 53% of children having mothers with no education
Summary
Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert 2 to 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations [1]. Universal immunization of children against eight vaccine-preventable diseases [tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, hepatitis B, respiratory diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae, polio, and measles] is crucial to reducing infant and child mortality [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Childhood immunization remains a key channel for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG 4) of reducing child mortality by two-thirds within 2015.
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