Abstract
Millions of children continue to miss immunizations each year despite global increases in financing and advances in vaccine technology. Male involvement in routine child immunization activities could improve and sustain coverage but is rarely emphasized in immunization programs or research. This study identified factors associated with male involvement in routine child immunization using the attitude, social influence and self-efficacy model.A household cluster survey was conducted among 460 fathers aged 18 years or more, with children aged 10-23 months. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Prevalence Risk Ratios (PRRs) were used to measure associations with level of involvement using generalized linear models with Poisson family, log link and robust standard errors in STATA 12. Our findings show that half (51%, 236/460) of the respondents were aged 25-34 years; 36% (166/460) had completed eight or more years of formal education. Although90% (415/460) of the respondents were willing to be involved, only 29% (133/460) were highly involved in routine child immunization. Highly involved fathers had a positive attitude towards involvement in routine child immunization (adj. PRR 2.3, 95% CI 1.18 â 4.98) and were â¥45 years adjusted prevalence risk ratio (adj. PRR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15 - 3.76. Traders had a lower involvement compared to those engaged in other occupations (adj. PRR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.37 - 0.82). In conclusion, few fathers were involved in routine child immunization. Strategies to improve fathersâ positive attitude such as health education are needed to increase their involvement, specifically targeting younger fathers and traders.
Highlights
19 million infants worldwide did not complete their routine immunization schedules in 2014, more than 60% of these lived in 10 developing countries including Uganda [1]
Level of Male Involvement: Overall, 29% (132/460) of all respondents were highly involved in routine child immunization (RCI)
Attitude: Overall, 87% (399/460) of respondents had a positive attitude towards involvement in RCI (Cronbach’s alpha correlation coefficient (α) = 0.8)
Summary
19 million infants worldwide did not complete their routine immunization schedules in 2014, more than 60% of these lived in 10 developing countries including Uganda [1]. This resulted in 1.5 million deaths due to vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) and accounted for about a third of deaths and disabilities among children under-five years of age in these countries [1]. The lack of male involvement has been shown to reduce immunization uptake, increase dropout, and un-timely commencement and completion of routine child vaccination schedules [3, 8, 9]. Male involvement is emphasized in maternal health care with little attention to child vaccination, one of the world’s most cost-effective child survival strategies [10]
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