Abstract
BackgroundChildhood vaccinations have been shown to be effective in protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases. The systematic investigation of the causes of incomplete immunization is critical for the full immunization and develop health system interventions to improve immunization coverage. To date, no community-based immunization coverage assessment study was conducted in Minjar-shenkora district. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the immunization coverage and its factors among 12–23 months old children in Minjar-shenkora district, Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2017. A total of 566 children aged 12–23 months and their mothers/caregivers were successfully interviewed using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. A stratified sampling technique was employed. Study participants were selected systematically. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported into SPSS version 21 for analysis. Logistic regression analyses were done. A significant association was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.ResultsThree fourth (75.6%) of 12–23 months old children were fully vaccinated. Incorrect appointment date (46.4%), the experience of child sickness with previous vaccination (35.2%) and disrespectful behavior of health professionals (14.3%) were the most common reasons cited by mothers/caregivers for incomplete vaccination of children. Being unmarried (AOR = 3.52, CI = 2.61, 9.15), not being a member of health development army (AOR = 3.31, CI = 2.01, 11.65) and traveling time greater than two hours on foot (AOR = 2.46, CI = 5.01, 17.18) were predictors of incomplete immunization.ConclusionsChild immunization coverage was still below the governmental plan of 90% in 2020. Being unmarried, not being a member of health development army and traveling time greater than two hours on foot were predictors of incomplete immunization. Strengthen health development army programmatic interventions in the community will improve child vaccination completion in the district. The issue of long travel time should be addressed by increasing the number of new vaccination sites/clusters in the district.
Highlights
Childhood vaccinations have been shown to be effective in protecting children against vaccinepreventable diseases
Ethiopia initiated the expanded program on immunization (EPI) program in 1980, and the national EPI aims to immunize all children between the ages of 0 and 23 months against eight vaccine-preventable diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and homophiles influenza, polio, and measles [8, 9]
Mother’s/caregiver’s reason for incomplete vaccination of children Incorrect appointment date (46.4%), stock out of vaccines (19.6%) were the most common reasons cited by mothers/caregivers for non/incomplete vaccination of their children
Summary
Childhood vaccinations have been shown to be effective in protecting children against vaccinepreventable diseases. Childhood immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases has been the most cost-effective intervention among different public health interventions in developing countries. It is one of the most powerful preventive strategies to reduce deaths among children under five years old [1]. In 1974, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its expanded program on immunization (EPI) with the aim of controlling six childhood diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and measles [7]. There are ten EPI vaccines available in Ethiopia: BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin), measles, pentavalent, rotavirus, pneumococcus vaccine (PCV), and OPV (oral polio vaccine) It is directed in the implementation guideline to introduce inactivated poliovirus, measles-rubella, meningitis, and yellow fever vaccines for less than one-year-old children [11]
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