Factors Influencing Immunisation Schedule Adherence and Completion at the Regional Level in the Philippines

Abstract

The leading causes of infant deaths are largely preventable and there are reasons from both the supply and the demand sides of healthcare why they may be perpetuating. This study aimed to ascertain factors affecting the preventive healthcare behaviour of immunisation of infants in the Philippines which is timely because completion, or adherence, rate had plateaued in recent decades. The method employed was the creation of statistical models at sub-national level. The sample contained infants born prior to the 2013 Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey to determine proper adherence to the government-mandated immunisation schedule. This involved merging the 17 administrative regions of the country to the traditional three sub-national regions. It is observed that the higher maternal education level and improved household socioeconomic status were the most indicative factors of improved adherenceacross all regions. This is also the case to some extent with more advanced maternal ages at giving birth. Autonomy of mothers to visit healthcare facilities depicts conflicting relations for different regions as well as how mothers behave depending on the nature of intention to give birth. These aspects regarding predictive factors of preventive care have yet to be studied keenly at the regional level in the Philippines.