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Apr 20, 2023Article Details
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Effects of a community volunteer-driven intervention on caregivers' knowledge and practice of childhood immunization in rural communities of Rivers state
Abstract
Background: Immunization is a cost-effective public health tool, preventing about three million deaths among children annually. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a community volunteer-driven intervention in improving caregivers’ knowledge and practice of routine childhood immunization in rural communities of Rivers State.
Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted among caregivers with infants between 0 to 6 weeks of age in rural communities. A total of 368 caregivers enrolled in the study through a multistage sampling technique were randomized into intervention or control groups and followed for 9 months. The intervention was a structured immunization education for caregivers in the intervention group, while the control was left out. Data were collected with a pretested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire.
Results: There were 153 (83.2% mothers in the intervention group and 148 (80.4%) in the control group. Their mean ages were 30.2 ± 7.9 years (intervention group); 31.9 ± 10.1years (control group). There was a significantly better knowledge of immunization in the intervention group, 114 (64.9%) compared to the control group, 98 (59.0%) (X2=7.55, p=0.02), and a significantly better practice of immunization in the intervention group, 139 (80.4%) compared to the control group, 97 (58.4%) (X2=21.93, p=0.000). However, the effect size for change in knowledge was small (Cohen W=0.2) and for practice was medium (Cohen W=0.4)
Conclusion: Structured immunization education by trained community members significantly improved the knowledge and practice of childhood immunization among caregivers. And therefore, recommended for improving immunization uptake and child survival in rural communities.
