Determinants of completion of routine immunization among children in rural areas of Jigawa State Nigeria

Background: Globally, the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases has been declining as a result of increased uptake and utilization of vaccines; but, there are still many children with delayed or incomplete immunization status in many developing countries. This study assessed the determinants of completion of routine immunization among under five children in rural areas of Jigawa State Nigeria. 

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16 statistical software. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 180 mothers of children within the age of 12 to 23 months.  Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Bivariate analyses were done to identify independent factors for complete immunization status.

Results: The immunization coverage was 16.7% and the drop-out rate was 51.6%. The determinants of completion of routine immunization were mothers/caregiver attendance of antenatal care during the last pregnancy (X²=22.488, p<0.05), presence of health facility in the settlement (X²=6.956, p<0.05), place of delivery (health facility vs home) (X²=19.361, p<0.05), occupational status of trading (X²=25.92, p<0.05) and higher household income (X²=21.37, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Creating awareness and raising the level of maternal education, provision of health facilities in underserved communities and access to adequate health care during pregnancy were recommended in order to increase immunization coverage at the community level.