Factors influencing childhood immunization services uptake among caregivers with children under one in the Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

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Date
MAY, 2019
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Abstract
Immunization is a recognized health preventive intervention for controlling and eradicating deadly infectious diseases among children under 5 years. However, one of the major concerns surrounding the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is the failure to reach a satisfactory level of immunization coverage in rapidly growing urban areas. The main objective of this study was to determine the predictors of immunization uptake in Asokore Mampong Municipality. A cross sectional study was carried out in the Asokore Mampong Municipality. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on knowledge and attitude of caregivers towards childhood immunization, immunization practices of caregivers and factors influencing immunization uptake in seven selected facilities. More than 3 in 5 of the participants had good knowledge about immunization and mother’s attitude towards immunization was also positive. Socio-demographic factors such as child’s sex (p=0.013), level of education (p=0.017), religious affiliation (p=0.002) and marital status (p=0.002) were associated with immunization uptake. Mothers with good knowledge about immunization were more likely to immunize their child up-to-date (p=0.012). The main reason why mothers present their children for immunization was for child’s protection against diseases. The immunization uptake (26%) is low in this municipality, per the national uptake of 95%. There is therefore the need for an implementation of new strategies such as establishment of more outreach services, intensive client education about immunization during ANC visits so as to improve immunization uptake
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of Degree of Masters of Public Health in Health Education and Promotion.
Keywords
childhood immunization, children under one, Asokore Mampong Municipality, Ashanti Region
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