Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Mass Immunization Among Urban Slum Dwellers:

Abstract

Mass immunization is a medical health intervention aimed at increasing the immunity of the general population against specific diseases which are commonly known as the immunizible killer diseases by use of vaccines. Although this health exercise is free of charge to the community, the level of knowledge and attitude of the people are predetermining factors that can affect the uptake and acceptance of MI among the communities of Uganda.

Therefore, this study was set to establish the level of knowledge and attitude towards mass immunization among urban slum dwellers in Soweto, Namuwongo, a city suburb in Makindye division of Kampala district.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was therefore carried out involving 383 respondents from the households of Soweto, Namuwongo. Data was collected on the demographic statistics, the level of knowledge, attitude towards mass immunization and other key aspects of MI using interviewer administered questionnaires. The data was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16.0.

The results indicated that, although majority (94%) of the respondents had heard of MI, the actual level of knowledge about aspects such as the killer diseases immunized against and the vaccines used was very low. The findings also revealed that only 24.8% of the respondents had a positive attitude towards MI. By use of Chi-square tests, it was established that the level of knowledge had a significant association with attitude of people towards MI. Therefore, the research hypothesis that stated that, ‘there is no significant association between level of knowledge and attitude towards MI’, was rejected.

In conclusion, the study findings revealed that despite the low level of knowledge about MI, the actual practice of immunization of children especially those under the age of five years was amazingly high. Therefore, although there is an urgent need to sensitize the population so as to increase the level of knowledge, other factors such as effective mass mobilization and enforcement of laws as regards immunization of children in Uganda should be promoted continuously such that the main objective of MI to increase immunization coverage for immunizable killer diseases is achieved. Also, positive attitudes towards MI can be developed if hindrances such as long waiting time and doubts about the effectiveness of vaccines and skills of workers administering vaccines during the process can be mitigated.