What Factors Influence the Up-Take of Tuberculosis Vaccine for Children in Ghana?

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is one the most dangerous communicable diseases in the world. However, with regards to children, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that there is a challenge in diagnosing childhood tuberculosis (WHO, 2013). This therefore strengthens the need for adopting preventive means such as immunisation in order to avoid childhood tuberculosis. Methods: This paper used data from the 2014 Ghana demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) which was conducted from early September to mid-December 2014 and the binary probit model to investigate the factors which Influence the Up-Take of Tuberculosis Vaccine for Children in Ghana. Results: The study revealed that children from the Eastern region, children from the Traditional/no religion/Spiritualist faith, male children, children with younger, unemployed and uninsured (no health insurance) mothers as well as those whose mothers had big monetary challenges in seeking self-medical care, were less likely to have received or utilised the tuberculosis vaccine. Conclusion: This study therefore concludes that mother’s employment, religion, region of residence, mother’s insurance, and challenges with finances in seeking medical care for mother, mother’s age and the sex of the child are the factors that determine the up-take of tuberculosis vaccine among children in Ghana.