Appraisal of Trends and Patterns of Immunization in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State

Abstract

Childhood immunization is the initiation of World Health Organization (WHO) through the administration of vaccine to children below the age of five (5) years. It is considered important for improving child survival. This is because more than 10 million children in developing countries die every year because they do not access effective interventions such as immunization that could fight common and preventable childhood illnesses. The study adopted a survey research design and applied multi stage sampling techniques to sample 280 respondents in the study area. The first stage involved the splitting of the local government into wards. The second stage involves selecting streets, while the third stage was sampling households. In all, 6 wards were sampled for the study. The study utilized both primary and secondary sources of data. Two hundred and eighty (280) structured questionnaires were administered while twenty health personnel were interviewed. Descriptive statistics like tables, frequencies and percentages were employed in presenting and interpreting the data. Information from the qualitative data was transcribed and ordered in themes to ensure that outstanding points of the responses are noted. One of the strategies that has been adopted but must be strengthened is community engagement. The study concluded that there is under coverage of the local government area by health personnel in administering immunization vaccine. Most parents in rural areas denied seeing health workers in their community during immunization days. Parents out rightly denied health workers access to administer immunization vaccine on their children due to religious and cultural factors. Similarly, parents in the local government have negative perception on immunization vaccine. The study made the following recommendations; proper engagement of communities; the proper persons in the community is liaised with; proper incentives are provided and benefits are clearly explained; aggressive enlightenment by government and development partners to minimize misconception of immunization vaccine and increase acceptance.

Key Words: Immunization, vaccine, Survival, acceptability and Health