Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control in IMO State LGA: Factors Affecting the BCG Vaccination Programme

Background: A single dose of BCG vaccine given to a neonate at birth or as soon as possible thereafter is key element for successful protection against mycobacterial infections including tuberculosis, leprosy and other non-tuberculous mycobacterium infections. Aim: This study aimed to contribute to the vision of ‘the End TB Strategy 2016-2035’ through the determination of the current BCG policy implementation on vaccine uptake by estimating the BCG vaccination rate in IMO State, Southeast Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional and community-based study was conducted in Ideato-North local government area (LGA) of IMO State, south east Nigeria; from 2013-2017. Cluster sampling method was used for household selection. A total of 210 children aged 0-11months and their mothers/caregivers were included in the study. Data was collected using a pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaire, and from review of vaccination records in the national program on immunization unit, public health department of the LGA of study and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Result: Only a minority of the children (21.9%) were vaccinated with BCG by card-plus history whereas none at all (0%) was vaccinated with BCG from the review of the vaccination records. The factors responsible for the poor BCG vaccination were BCG multi-dose vial policy/fear of vaccine wastage, poor turn-out for vaccination, place of child’s birth, mother’s knowledge on vaccination and mother’s education level. Conclusion: There is need for a review of the multi-dose vial policy, ensure policy implementation; periodic training and re-training of the health care personnel, human capacity development, data monitoring/evaluation, as well as sensitization campaigns among others, as ways to improve the people’s awareness on and uptake of BCG vaccination, a key component of the very first pillar in the End TB Strategy.