Determinants of full child immunization among 12-23 months old in Nigeria.
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Date
2013-08-19
Authors
Adebiyi, Funmilayo
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Abstract
Although childhood immunization is considered important for improving child survival, most
morbidity and mortality in children are due to vaccine preventable diseases such as measles,
poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and tetanus. Globally, immunization
coverage has increased during the past decade, but in developing countries including Nigeria,
the coverage is still unacceptably low. It is therefore important to recognize the factors that
are associated with full child immunization in Nigeria with a view to reduce child mortality
in Nigeria and also to make the life of these children better. The study used the 2008 Nigeria
Demographic and Health Survey children’s data. A total of 4,520 children aged between 12-
23 months delivered by 4,520 women aged 15-49 years formed the analysis sample. The
dependent variable was full child immunization constructed from a number of variables on
uptake of the various WHO recommended immunizations (coded 0 – No and 1 – Yes).
Binary logistic regression model was used to identify the critical determinants of full child
immunization status.
Results show that only about 22% of the children received full immunization. The significant
determinants of full child immunization were religion, residence, place of delivery, antenatal
visit, mother’s occupation, mother’s education, as well as mother’s age, household wealth
and region of residence.
In conclusion, Full child immunization coverage is low but had increased in Nigeria. The
children in households with low income, where the mothers were single, where the mothers
were Muslims, where the mothers were without formal education were less likely to be fully
immunized. These groups need to be further targeted for a more complete immunization for
children.