KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF CARE GIVERS OF CHILDREN BELOW FIVE YEARS TOWARDS IMMUNIZATION AT NDEJJE HEALTH CENTRE IV, WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background Immunization is an important tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to prevent between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers of children below five years towards immunization at Ndejje Health Centre iv, Wakiso District. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study design using a quantitative approach to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers/caregivers towards immunization of children below five years. Results Most of the respondents had the required knowledge and right attitudes that were sufficient to inform their practice towards immunization. The majority (55%) knew all the Immunizeble diseases and few respondents did not know any of the Immunizable diseases (15%). (53%) accepted that immunization protects children against deadly diseases while (47%) denied that it does not protect children against deadly diseases. (74%) accepted that immunization is important against a few (26%) who denied that immunization is not important. (60%) had immunized all their children while (40%) had not immunized all of their children. As per the immunization schedule where (80%) had not immunized their children as per the immunization schedule and (20%) had immunized their children as per the immunization schedule. Conclusion Married women/caregivers, professional mothers/ caregivers, and as well as male children were found to be statistically significant predictors of maternal/caregivers toward childhood immunization. The child’s sex (male) and married women/caregivers showed statistical significance with mothers'/caretakers’ attitudes towards childhood immunization. Recommendation Public health education should be intensified to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers/caregivers on childhood immunization. Continuous professional development sessions should also be provided to health service providers in hospitals to properly deliver to shape the knowledge and attitude of caregivers.