Maternal factors influencing the uptake of measles/rubella booster vaccine in the Sekyere South District of Ashanti Region of Ghana.
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Date
NOVEMBER, 2019
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Abstract
Measles is the greatest vaccine-preventable killer of children in the world today and
the eighth leading cause of death among persons of all ages worldwide. One of the
major issues surrounding the Expanded Programme on Immunization is the failure to
reach a satsifactory level of immunization coverage in our districts.
To acertain the maternal factors influencing uptake of measles booster vaccine
among under five children in Sekyere South district, a cross- sectional study was
carried out. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on the knowledge of mothers and
caretakers regarding childhood immunisation, and measles booster vaccine, the
attitudes of mothers and caretakers regarding child immunisation and measles/rubella
booster vaccine and factors related to Immunization Service Delivery Quality in four
selected health facilities. A total of 319 caretakers/mothers were randomly selected
and enrolled into the study.
The level of knowledge regarding child immunization and measles booster vaccine
was good (56.11%). Caretakers had adequate knowledge regarding immunization
schedules (76.80%), benefits of immunization (80.05%) and side effects of vaccine.
However, majority (75.63%) had inadequate knowledge regarding the number of
vaccines required to complete an immunization. The main sources of information on
immunization among participants were the health workers, 294/319 or (93.33%).
Generally, majority of the respondents, 227 (71.16%) have negative attitude towards
child‟s immunization and measles booster vaccination. Maternal level of education
(p=0.009) were significantly associated with immunization status of the child. The
mother‟s place of deliverance was also a contributing factor to child‟s immunization.
Majority of the mothers (82.45%) that delivered at the health facility had their child
fully vaccinated. Also, distance from the health centers also affects immunization.
Caretakers living in close proximity to health centers (less than 30 minutes‟ walk)
were more likely to fully vaccinate their children. Majority, 262 (90.34%) of the
caregivers agree that they were informed or advised to vaccinate their child during
their ANC and PNC visits to the health facility. Only 26 (8.15%) have returned home
in some occasion without measles immunization. The main reasons given included:
vaccines not available (59.09%) and vaccinators were absent (13.64%). Although
immunization uptake (96.86%) was high in the district, there is still 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.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Health Promotion, Education and Disability Studies, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, in Partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Degree of Masters of Public Health in Health Education and Promotion.
Keywords
Maternal, Measles/Rubella Booster, Vaccine, Sekyere South District, Ashanti Region