Factors Influencing Utilization of Child Immunization Services in a Tertiary Health Institution in Sokoto North-West Nigeria

Abstract

Despite our hygiene and safety some infections can still spread hence the need for vaccination and immunization of people especially during childhood. The high effectiveness of immunization in preventing diseases and death as made immunization one of public health’s most cost-effective intervention. When parents fail or do not complete their child’s vaccination, diseases that are long gone might re-appear. This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers/guide towards immunization and the factors affecting utilization of immunization services in a tertiary institution in North-West Nigeria. One hundred and thirty-eight mothers/guides participated in this cross-sectional study. Respondents were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. A 47-item questionnaire on the self-reported knowledge, attitudes and practices towards utilization of immunization services was formulated and used for data collection. A focus group discussion which involved three vaccination health workers working in the health facility was also carried out in the study. A large proportion of the participants are within the age group of 21-30 (60.14%). Those who had no formal education, 53 (38.41%) were the majority. This study revealed that 93% have poor knowledge while 7% have good knowledge about immunization. 57.97% have good attitudes and 42.03% have poor attitude towards immunization. 52.90% have good practices while 47.10% have poor practices towards immunization. Level of education was revealed to have statistical significant relationship with mothers/guides knowledge, attitude and practice towards immunization. Factors such as lack of husbands’ consent, absence from town, sick child, travel cost and travel distance were reported to affect utilization of immunization services. According to the outcome of this study, it implies that a high proportion of mothers/guides have poor knowledge about immunization. Efforts should be made to appropriately educate mothers/guides on various vaccine preventable diseases and appropriate immunization schedules to ensure better compliance. Lack of husband’s consent is a major factor that affects the utilization of child immunization services by mothers/guides. Therefore, efforts should be targeted at educating men and employ necessary campaigns to change gender discrimination in relationships and households in this part of Nigeria.