Vaccines & Vaccination 

Biography

Biography: Elizabeth kiptoo

Abstract

Over 100 million children are immunized annually saving 3 million lives a year, but 1.7 million unreached children still die each year due to immunizable diseases. The complete immunization coverage in Kenya in 2003 was 57 % and this rose gradually in 2007 to 77%. However, an estimated 35% of new-borns had not been immunized in 2006, translating to 0.5 million unvaccinated children in the country. However, very low immunization coverage remains a challenge in some Counties such as East pokot Baringo County at about 25% and factors influencing low coverage are unknown. A cross sectional population study was undertaken between January 2014 and March 2015 to determine the factors influencing low immunization coverage. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaires through house to house visits and analyzed using Epi info version 7 statistical software. Prevalence odds ratio was used to establish association of relevant factors with immunization coverage. All confidence intervals (CI) at 95%. Statistical significance was defined at p 0.05. P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant Complete immunization coverage was 23%. Coverage for specific antigens was; BCG (82%), OPV0 (34%), OPV 1(68%), OPV2 (62%), OPV3 (55%), DPTHepB1 (67%), DPTHepB2 (61%), DPTHepB3 (55%), Measles (46%). The drop-out rate between the first and third DPTHepB vaccine coverage was 16%. Predictors of full immunization included number of children within the family OR 1.61 p 0.0022, Knowledge of immunization schedule OR 9.04 p 0.0000, Literacy level OR 3.55 p 0.0049, place of birth of the child OR 4.5 p 0.0000, nomadic lifestyle OR 11.06 p 0.0000, economic status OR 2.71 p 0.00370 and the distance to the nearest health facility OR 18.24 p 0.0000. Complete immunization status among children aged 12-23 months in East Pokot is low. Efforts to improve vaccination coverage must take into account the immunization determinants found in this study. There is need to focus on strengthening of awareness strategies, increasing the number of health facilities with Health workers and strengthening integrated outreach services.