FULL VACCINATION COVERAGE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 12–23 MONTHS IN WOLKITE TOWN, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA, 2022

Abstract

Background: Immunization coverage in many parts of the Ethiopia is still found to be less than desired one and under-five mortality is also higher. Besides this there is a considerable regional discrepancy in terms of immunization coverage. Particularly, in SNNPR had a low level of full immunization coverage by far less than the global and national target. So, the aim of this study was to assess full vaccination coverage and associated factors among children aged 12–23 months in wolkite town, SNNPR, Ethiopia Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 09 to 29; 2022. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select 323 mothers/care givers with children aged 12-23 months. Data was collected by face-to-face interview and observation checklist. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS statistical package Descriptive statistics was done to assess basic respondent characteristics. Bivariable logistic regression was used to identify candidate variables, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictor. P- value<0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 323 mothers to children pairs were interviewed. Based on vaccination card and mothers recall, about (92.0%) of the children took at least a single dose of vaccine. About (79.6% with CI= 73.0-83.9)of children were fully vaccinated. The odds of full immunization was 0.310 times less than among children whose mother has no knowledge of importance of childhood immunization than children whose mother has knowledge of importance of immunization service {AOR0.310(95%CI=0.132-0.726)}.The odds of full immunization was 0.184 times less among children whose parents walk greater than or equal to thirty minutes to reach the nearest health facility as compared to children whose parents walk less than thirty minutes to reach the nearest health facility {(AOR 0.184(95%CI=0.011-3.123)}. Mothers who had no postnatal visit after delivery were 0.351 times less likely to vaccinate their children compared to mothers who had postnatal visit after delivery {(AOR 0.351(95%CI=0.152- 0.808)}. Another predictive factor for full vaccination was ANC follow up during pregnancy. Mothers who had no antenatal care visits during pregnancy were 7.765 times less likely to vaccinate their children compared to mothers who had ANC visits during pregnancy[AOR 7.765(95% CI=2.571-23.450)].. viii Conclusion and recommendation: Efforts should be made to promote women‟s awareness on the importance of child‟s vaccination service to improve vaccination coverage through health development army and health professionals working at antenatal care and vaccination