Factors Influencing The Completion Of Immunisation Schedule Among Children Under 2 Years At Nagongera Health Centre Iv, Tororo District

Abstract

A study was carried out at Nagongera Health Center IV, Tororo district to determine the factors influencing the completion of immunization schedule among children under 2 years of age. A cross sectional and descriptive design was employed and 100 respondents were selected to the study using a none probability, consecutive enrollment method. Data was collected using researcher administered questionnaires. The study found out that the completion rate for immunization was only 40%. There were various caretaker related factors influencing the completion of immunization schedule of children under 2 years of age. For instance, all respondents 100 (100%) had at least a fear concerning the vaccines given to their children. These fears included 30 (30%) who stated vaccines being expired, 27 (27%) feared that the vaccines could make their children lame, 20 (20%) feared that vaccines had many side effects, 13 (13%) said the vaccines would make the children barren while 10 (10%) said that vaccines can kill their children. Furthermore, 40 (63.6%) said the funds for transport were sometimes readily available, 60 (60%) did not know the vaccination schedule of their children under 2 years, respondents 67 (67%) had bad attitudes towards childhood immunization. Respondents also faced various health system factors influencing the completion of immunization schedule of children under 2 years of age and most 83 (83%) did not have good access to various health facilities offering immunization services and 83 (83%) did not have adequate coverage of immunization services in their community which was not surprising that most 60 (60%) did not have all their children immunized. The study concluded that mothers of children less than 2 years faced various caretaker related and health system as well as a few health worker factors which influenced the completion of immunization schedule of children under 2 year. The key recommendations included improved health education, provision and availability of health services through bringing the services closer to the mothers.