Factors affecting uptake of immunization services among children under five years in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Child Immunization is one of the most cost effective public health interventions. In public health, vaccines have a major contribution in eradicating dreadful disease for instance small pox. Targeting children under 5 years, is a far reached strategy to measure the utilization of immunization services. Nevertheless, there still low immunization coverage in Kilifi County. The study aimed at assessing factors affecting immunization services among under 5 years children in Kilifi County, Kenya

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted in Kilifi County targeting a population mothers/ care takers of children who are under 5 years of age. Health facilities were selected based on Arid, Semi-arid and Urban. The health facilities included Gongoni health centre, Markebuni dispensary, Gotani health centre, Vishakani dispensary and Malindi Sub County hospital. Approximately 263 mothers/care givers participated in the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Data was then entered in a Microsoft excel and then exported to SPSS for analysis. Ethical consideration was sought from NACOSTI, KNH-UON and permission to collect data was sought from Kilifi County health research unit.

Results:: Findings shows that, factors affecting uptake of immunization among children under 5 years were mothers/care givers with no education (AOR=4.23, 95% CI=1.20- 14.84, p=0.0245), having 4.23 times, more likely not to complete the uptake of immunization services as compared to their counterparts who had college level education. Similarly, participants who felt that the distance between their home and the health facility was far were 7.97 times (AOR=7.97, 95% CI=2.90-21.95, p

Conclusion: Uptake of immunization service of under five years in Kilifi County is affected by factors such as education level, stock outs, and distance from home to health facility, lack of information on immunization services, myth and misconception and maternal age of care giver. Intervention to focus on modifiable factors to improve uptake of immunization services of under 5 years children.