Childhood vaccination in rural southwestern Ethiopia: the nexus with demographic factors and women鈥檚 autonomy
Community-based study conducted in a Health and Demographic Survelliance System in southwestern Ethiopia
Abstract
Introduction: Vaccination can reduce child mortality significantly and is a cost effective way to improve child health. Worldwide, more than 22 million children do not receive the basic recommended vaccinations. Vaccination coverage in Ethiopia remains low. Research on child health has focused on socio-economic factors such as maternal education and access to health care, but little attention has been given to demographic factors and women鈥檚 autonomy within the household. The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of demographic factors and women鈥檚 autonomy on the completion of childhood vaccination in rural Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in a Health and Demographic Survelliance System (HDSS) in southwestern Ethiopia. Data were drawn from a random sample of women with children aged 12-24 months (n=889). Information on maternal socio-demographic characteristics and household variables were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Vaccination data were obtained from vaccination cards or mother鈥檚 recall. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association of independent variables with completion of childhood vaccination.
Results: Of 889 children aged 12-24 months, 690 (78%) had received at least one vaccination. Only 37% (95% CI, 33.5-39.9) were fully vaccinated. Women鈥檚 decision making autonomy, number of under-five children in the household, mother鈥檚 education, use of antenatal care services and proximity to health facility were the main factors associated with full vaccination status.
Conclusion: Completion of basic vaccination series is very low in the study area. Initiatives that enhance women鈥檚 autonomy within the household and that promote healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies may help in improving child health through vaccination.
Citation
Wado, Y.D.; Afework, M.F.; Hindin, M.J. Childhood vaccination in rural southwestern Ethiopia: the nexus with demographic factors and women鈥檚 autonomy. Pan African Medical Journal (2014) 17 (Supplement 1) 9. [DOI: 10.11694/pamj.supp.2014.17.1.3135]