Correlates, Predictors and Cluster Analysis of Routine Vaccination Status among Infants in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

With low immunization coverage in Nigeria, vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality among under 5 children. This study assessed the correlates and predictors of vaccination status among infants in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti state.  A cross-sectional survey of vaccination status among infants (0-12 months); mothers were interviewed using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling. Households’ GPS coordinates were plotted on GIS map and spatial distance of each household to the routine immunization facility estimated. The household wealth quintile was also established. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The mean age of the children was 5.6±3.6 months. While more than one-third, 116 (38.7%), of the children were 7-12 months old; 171 (57.0%) were males. About a third, 93 (31.0%), of the mothers had tertiary education.  Almost three-quarters (70.0%) of the children were fully immunized for age. BCG had the highest coverage (86.3%). Age of the mother, maternal education, place of delivery and having a vaccination card were associated with vaccination status (p<0.05). However, maternal education was the lone significant predictor of infant vaccination. (Odds ratio=5.154; p=0.023). A sizeable number of the children were not immunized with the respective vaccines at recommended age; and some factors were found to be associated with the vaccination status of the infants in this study, but maternal education is the only significant predictor. It is recommended that government  scale-up efforts at increasing awareness of the public on importance of childhood immunization, girl-child education; and put measures in place to improve accessibility and prevents missed opportunities