Main Article Content
Knowledge, perception and beliefs of mothers on routine childhood immunization in a Northern Nigerian Village
Abstract
Background: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to examine the knowledge of, attitudes towards and beliefs about childhood immunization among mothers of children below the age of two years in Danbare village of Kumbotso Local government in Kano state, Nigeria.
Results: The study group comprised of 200 mothers of children below the age of two years. Seventy five percent of the mothers were aware of the existence of routine immunization services in the village. Majority (68%) though, had poor knowledge of schedules of childhood immunization as well as knowledge of which diseases are preventable by vaccines used. One hundred and six (54%) of the mothers were against their children being immunized but up to 59.5% believed vaccines offer protection against diseases while 48.05 of respondents believed vaccines were safe. Mothers who had formal education were more likely to be aware of the existence of facilities for childhood immunization compared to mothers who had no formal education (P < 0.05). Mothers with formal education were also more likely to believe in the efficacy of vaccines compared to respondents with no formal education (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Although majority of the mothers were aware of immunization services, their knowledge of immunization schedule as well as of vaccine preventable diseases is poor. Religion and influence of husbands are the main factors for unwillingness of mothers to have their children vaccinated. A better understanding of knowledge, perceptions and beliefs of mothers on childhood immunization is important in the design and implementation of immunization programmes.
Keywords: routine childhood immunization, perception, attitude, Northern Nigeria
Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 1(1) 2005: 21-26
Results: The study group comprised of 200 mothers of children below the age of two years. Seventy five percent of the mothers were aware of the existence of routine immunization services in the village. Majority (68%) though, had poor knowledge of schedules of childhood immunization as well as knowledge of which diseases are preventable by vaccines used. One hundred and six (54%) of the mothers were against their children being immunized but up to 59.5% believed vaccines offer protection against diseases while 48.05 of respondents believed vaccines were safe. Mothers who had formal education were more likely to be aware of the existence of facilities for childhood immunization compared to mothers who had no formal education (P < 0.05). Mothers with formal education were also more likely to believe in the efficacy of vaccines compared to respondents with no formal education (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Although majority of the mothers were aware of immunization services, their knowledge of immunization schedule as well as of vaccine preventable diseases is poor. Religion and influence of husbands are the main factors for unwillingness of mothers to have their children vaccinated. A better understanding of knowledge, perceptions and beliefs of mothers on childhood immunization is important in the design and implementation of immunization programmes.
Keywords: routine childhood immunization, perception, attitude, Northern Nigeria
Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 1(1) 2005: 21-26
