ABSTRACT
Introduction
Immunization is one of the cost-effective public health interventions for ending preventable diseases, morbidity and death of under-5 children. Nearly 40% of child deaths have been attributed to vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria as the prevalence of fully immunized children is low. This study assessed maternal knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding childhood immunization. The study also examined factors associated with maternal practice of childhood immunization as well as the level of maternal satisfaction in the utilization of immunization services.
Method
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 340 mothers of under-5 children in Ovia North East LGA, Edo State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected using pre-tested, structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS. 5% level of significance was set for analysis.
Result
Most of the mothers’ age fall within the age range of 20-29 years. Mean age ± SD of mothers was 29.7 ± 7.3. Majority (59.7%) of mothers had tertiary level of education. A high proportion (47%) of mothers had poor knowledge, 34.4% had fair knowledge while a minority (18.5%) had good knowledge of childhood immunization. Majority (60.4%) had positive perception, 80.1% had true belief in childhood immunization; their attitude towards childhood immunization was positive (95%). Age and level of education was significantly associated with knowledge and perception of mothers regarding childhood immunization. There was a high completion rate of childhood immunization accounting for 69.2%. Identified factors associated with maternal practice of childhood immunization uptake include; being unaware of immunization schedule, place/time of immunization unknown as well as fear of adverse effects, unavailability of vaccines, no faith in immunization, long waiting time, mothers busy schedule as well as ill child and attitude of health workers with proportions 94.0%, 92.7%, 91.2%, 87.9%, 87.6%, 85.8% and 85.5% respectively. More than half by proportion (67.4%) of mothers had good level of satisfaction in immunization services.
Conclusion
The level of knowledge concerning childhood immunization was poor among mothers in this study. Although, respondents had poor childhood immunization-related knowledge, most especially as it relates to immunization schedules, they had positive perception, true belief regarding childhood immunization. Educational programs and enlightenment campaigns about vaccine preventable diseases, vaccines, immunization schedules and health benefits of childhood immunization should be established to close the maternal knowledge gap as regards childhood immunization. Intervention measures should be put in place to address factors that affect maternal practice of childhood immunization.
Keywords: Childhood immunization, maternal, knowledge, practices, beliefs, Ovia North-East, Edo state.
