Determinants of full vaccination status in a rural community with accessible vaccination services in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Immunization promotes child survival. Low vaccination coverage in rural areas in Nigeria is associated with vaccination posts being too far, but other determinants exist.

Objective: To assess the proportion and determinants of full vaccination of children in a rural community with accessible immunization services.

Methods: A cross-sectional house-to-house survey was conducted in a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. The community has two readily accessible vaccination posts. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, data on the vaccination status of 12-to-59 month-old children and other variables related to the child were collected from their mothers. . Fisher's exact test and odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to explore factors associated with full vaccination.

Results: A total of 305 mothers were interviewed and 299 (98.0%) reported that their children received at least one of BCG, OPV, DPT and measles vaccine. Fully vaccinated children were 246 (80.7%). A child's birth in a health facility (P < 0.001; OR = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.07-0.33), mother's knowledge of the benefits of immunization (P = 0.001; OR = 0.21, 95%CI = 0.08-0.60) a mother being employed (P = 0.003; OR = 2.48, 95%CI =1.32-4.68) and a high birth order (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with full vaccination.

Conclusion: Birth and maternal factors facilitate full vaccination in rural areas, especially where vaccination posts are readily accessible. Knowledge and behavioural gaps should be corrected using health education. Qualitative studies are required to better understand the behavioural determinants of full vaccination.

Keywords: Full Vaccination, Immunization Coverage, Child Survival, Rural Area, Nigeria