Factors influencing routine vaccination uptake and completion among children aged 12–23 months in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey

Background: In spite of the enormous benefits of immunization, uptake of the expanded programme on immunization vaccines has remained low, especially in Northern Nigeria. Pentavalent-3 uptake in Nigeria was 33% in 2017, and up to 40% of children 12 months old were not vaccinated. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the factors influencing routine vaccination uptake and completion among children 12–23 months in North-central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Ilorin between December 2019 and January 2020 among 456 mothers/caregivers-children pairs. Participants were recruited using multistage cluster sampling technique. Results: Eighty percent (80%) of the children studied were fully vaccinated, with a vaccine uptake of 100% for Bacille Calmette-Guerin, OPV0, HBV0, OPV1, and Penta1; 83.8% for measles; and 83.1% for yellow fever. Significant factors associated with complete vaccination are: mothers/caregivers having formal education, P = 0.001; antenatal care (ANC) attendance, P = 0.001; being employed, P = 0.007, delivery in hospital, P = 0.001 and low birth order, P = 0.003. Predictors of complete vaccination are mothers with tertiary education (odd ratio [OR]: 11.51, confidence interval [CI]: 2.43–54.64, P = 0.002), ANC attendance (OR: 7.76, CI: 2.58–23.33, P < 0.001), and hospital delivery (OR: 2.86, CI: 1.6–5.0, P < 0.001). Psychosocial factors such as religious belief, cultural acceptance, and husbands’ support are also associated with vaccination uptake and completion among the children. Conclusion: Vaccination uptake for the various antigens and full vaccination status are generally high in this study, but still below the global target. Access to ANC services, hospital delivery, and female empowerment will enhance and improve vaccine uptake and completion.