The prevalence of children aged 1-5 years adequately vaccinated against diphtheria and its associated factors in mountainous communes, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province in 2022

Aim: The study aims to estimate the prevalence of children aged 1-5 years adequately vaccinated against diphtheria and associated factors in mountainous communes in Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province in 2022. Methods: A mixed method design was used, combining quantitative research (survey with principal carer of 492 children aged 1-5 years) and qualitative research (in-depth interviews with 6 district and commune health workers in charge of vaccination management). Results: The prevalence of children aged 1-5 years adequately vaccinated against diphtheria was 92,9%. Factors associated with diphtheria vaccination included the children’s ethnicity; the principal carer’s educational level and occupation; the distance to the nearest commune health center/vaccination center; diphtheria vaccine availability and the instability of local human resource in charge of vaccination management. Conclusion: There is a need for improvement of local capacity in organizing and managing vaccination services in remote and disadvantageous areas