Factors associated with incomplete child immunisation: evidence from Lusaka,District
Date
2017
Authors
Kashinka, Eddie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Immunization is one of the most successful public health initiatives. The World Health
Organization fact sheet, in 2017 indicates that immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3
million deaths every year. However, about 29,000 children worldwide who are under the age of
five still die every day, mainly from vaccine preventable diseases. Uptake of vaccines with
multiple doses up to the last dose has been a problem. Partial or incomplete immunization against
leads to reappearance of childhood vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) and consequently high
infant mortality. There is limited data is available to explain the reason behind non-completion of
immunisation and, that could support the decision making. This study was aimed at identify factors
associated with completion of child immunisation schedule in Lusaka district, Zambia.
The study employed a mixed method design where both quantitative and qualitative methods were
used. The quantitative cross section design data will be secondary data which will be obtained
from the Gavi Full Country Evaluation (FCE), Household Survey that was conducted in 2014/15
by The University of Zambia. The qualitative approach were Focus group discussions and key
informant interviews conducted with mother and health workers respectively.
It was established in this study that mother generally demonstrated that they were aware about
vaccines and they knew the benefits of the vaccines. The reasons for incomplete child
immunisation include the mothers low levels of education, the negative perceptions such as the
fear of side effects of the vaccines, mothers negligence resulting from the mothers laziness or
unwillingness to bring the child for immunisation, the bad treatment by the health workers on
mothers and various social factors such as mother having to attend to social engagements like
funerals and weddings. Economic factors included lack of transport money, mothers having to do
some work. Demographically, older mothers were less likely to have children immunisation than
younger mothers, further older children were less likely to be fully immunised than younger ones.
All in all, the reasons for incomplete child immunisation found in this study hinge on the mother’s
education, age, lifestyle and the mothers experiences with immunisation service and the vaccines.
Social and economic factors leading to incomplete immunisation are mostly the mothers
competing priorities.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Immunisation of children--Zambia , Incomplete immunisation--Zambia