Contextualizing post day-one childhood immunization in-take drop-off rate in Nigeria: An assessment of working mothers in Ibadan

TL;DR

This study explores how working mothers in Ibadan, Nigeria, manage childhood immunizations, finding that many struggle to complete the full vaccination schedule due to work and lack of information.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the challenges faced by working mothers in completing childhood immunization schedules in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for accessible and informative immunization services.

Findings

Around 75% of mothers ensured immediate post-birth immunization, but less than 30% completed the full vaccination series.

Approximately 40% of mothers vaccinated their children up to the third DPT dose, and just over 30% achieved full vaccination.

Many mothers added 'supplements' to their children's immunization due to insufficient information about vaccines.

Abstract

Contextualizing childhood immunization in the context of working mothers can boost coverage and completion. This study examines how informal working mothers perceive post-day-one routine immunization, and vaccines not covered under the National Program on Immunization (NPI), immunization schedules, timing, and duration.

The study was conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria and involved 1,044 quantitative and 73 qualitative samples of working nursing mothers. A mixed methods approach was used, including a semi-structured questionnaire to gather immunization experiences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test for proportions, and t-test for means (p<0.05), while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis.

The average age of mothers participating in this study was 31.39 years. The mean age of mothers at their first childbirth within the study group was 24.12 years. A significant majority of these mothers (95%) are married. Around three-quarters of women in this population ensured immediate immunization for their infants after birth, but less than a third achieved the complete age-specific vaccination series due to livelihood related causes, long waiting time spent in conventional immunization clinic. Around 40% of interviewed mothers vaccinated their children up to the third DPT dose, and just over 30% achieved full vaccination. Many informal working mothers, have concerning practice of adding 'supplements' to their children's immunization, driven by a lack of sufficient information about the vaccines. Some mothers also seemed unaware of these specialized vaccines.

Promoting complete immunization requires more than just raising awareness about childhood vaccinations but close and quick immunization service delivery is required. It is crucial for mothers to possess comprehensive knowledge about the mechanics and operation of immunization. Achieving this understanding could involve translating vaccine names and functions into indigenous terms, enhancing clarity and comprehension. Furthermore, a firm grasp of the immunization schedule significantly contributes to successful immunization completion.

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