The Association between Maternal Knowledge, Immunization Status, and Child Illness in Sragen, Central Java

Abstract

Background: The association between maternal knowledge and child illness has been long well-established. However, little is known about the relative odds of child illness and maternal knowledge in Sragen, Central Java. This study aimed to estimate the association between maternal health knowledge, immunization status, and child illness in Sragen, Central Java. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Jetiskarangpung Village, Kalijambe, Sragen, Central Java, from September to December 2017. A sample of to 197 children under five and their mother were selected for this study by random sampling. The dependent variable was the child illness episode occuring in the previous three months. The independent variables were maternal health knowledge and immunization status. The data were collected by questionnaire and document review (child health monitoring card). The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: The risk of child illness episode increased with poor maternal health knowledge (OR= 7.50; 95% CI= 3.50 to 16.07; p< 0.001) and incomplete immunization status (OR= 5.69; 95% CI= 2.65 to 12.17; p< 0.001). Conclusion: Poor maternal health knowledge and incomplete immunization increase the risk of child illness in Sragen, Central Java Keywords: maternal health knowledge, incomplete immunization, child illness