The Effects of Social Cultural Practices on Parental Decision to Undergo Polio Vaccination in Mwala SubCounty, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Immunization is recognized worldwide as a cost-effective public health intervention. However, despite its benefits,  children in Kenya are still adversely affected by low or inadequate uptake of immunization. The objectives of the study included examination of the effect of education level of parents, influence of religion and the effects of information access on the choice to vaccinate children against Polio in Mwala Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya.
Materials and Methods:  A descriptive survey was carried out with a total of 381 respondents selected using Krejcie and Morgan’s formulae. Stratified random sampling technique was employed in selecting 63 respondents from each of the six wards in Mwala SubCounty. Data analysis was done using both quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Results: The study established that parental education levels and religious beliefs influence the parental choice to vaccinate their  children to a large extent. These cultural and social factors, as much as their occurrence is outside of health facilities, determine the decision to take children for vaccination.
Conclusion: In order for vaccination programs to be effective, social and cultural issues must be addressed by understanding the recipients’ social and cultural positioning.
Recommendation: More engagement with the community ought to be done by the health workers in order to understand their socio-cultural dynamics, dispositions and concerns regarding vaccination. The findings of this study would benefit the policy
makers, community workers and health workers.

Keywords: Socio Cultural Practices, Polio Vaccine, Mwala Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya