Sociodemographic Factors and Maternal Knowledge of Childhood Vaccination in Nigeria
DOI registered with Crossref
https://doi.org/10.37547/ijmsphr/Volume06Issue01-02
Keywords
Maternal knowledge
childhood vaccination,
socio-demographic factors
Abstract
Childhood vaccination is globally recognized as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to reduce child mortality, particularly in regions burdened by vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis. Despite the availability of free routine vaccination services in Nigeria, suboptimal vaccination coverage persists, and maternal knowledge plays a critical role in this challenge. While much attention has been focused on the role of attitudes and practices in influencing vaccine uptake, less is known about the specific impact of socio-demographic factors on maternal knowledge of the vaccination schedule, particularly in urban areas like Ughelli, Nigeria. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining the socio-demographic determinants of maternal knowledge about childhood vaccination in Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta, Nigeria.
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 321 mothers residing in Ughelli North LGA, utilizing a structured and pre-tested questionnaire designed to assess maternal knowledge of vaccination schedules and key vaccines for children. The study explored the association between socio-demographic factors such as age, educational level, employment status, ethnicity, and the level of maternal knowledge about childhood vaccination. Data were collected using an online survey and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns and associations.
The study revealed that, despite high levels of educational attainment among participants (88.8% had tertiary education), 87.5% of the respondents demonstrated poor knowledge of the full vaccination schedule, especially concerning vaccines required beyond the age of two. Socio-demographic variables, including ethnicity, employment status, and education, were not significantly associated with vaccination knowledge (p>0.05), indicating that even mothers with higher education levels exhibited gaps in specific vaccination knowledge. These results suggest that maternal education alone is not a sufficient predictor of comprehensive vaccination knowledge in this context.
This study makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge by highlighting the disconnect between general education and specific health knowledge regarding childhood vaccination. While many studies have established positive links between socio-demographic factors and overall vaccine attitudes or practices, this research uniquely focuses on knowledge of the vaccination schedule, identifying critical gaps that exist independently of attitudes or socio-economic status. The findings emphasize the need for tailored health education interventions that go beyond general literacy and target the specifics of vaccine schedules and timing, particularly for vaccines administered after infancy.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
1
Adedire, E. B., et al. (2021). Vaccination coverage and its determinants among children aged 12-23 months in Atakumosa-West District, Osun State, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 16, 905. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10683-w.
2
Adedokun, S. T., Morhason-Bello, I. O., Adeyanju, M. O., & Ojengbede, O. A. (2017). Completeness of childhood vaccination and maternal knowledge: A cross-sectional study in southwestern Nigeria. BMC Public Health, 17, 604. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4490-1.
3
Adefolalu, A. O., & Bamgboye, E. A. (2020). Socio-demographic factors and vaccination coverage in southwestern Nigeria. BMC Public Health, 20, 1234. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09273-7.
4
Adeyinka, A., Adeyinka, A., & Olusola, A. (2022). Socio-demographic factors influencing childhood vaccination in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 13(1), 15-22.
5
Afolabi, B. M., Sofola, O. T., Fatunmbi, B. S., & Komolafe, T. R. (2012). Cultural and socio-economic factors affecting the uptake of vaccination among children in southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Health Sciences, 19(1-2), 38-45.
6
Ames, H., Glenton, C. and Lewin, S. (2019) Purposive sampling in a qualitative evidence synthesis: a worked example from a synthesis on parental perceptions of vaccination communication. BMC. Medical Research Methodology 19: 26 Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-0190665-4 (Accessed 26 November 2021).
7
Anetor, G. O. and Oyekan-Thomas, M. F. (2018) Knowledge and attitude of youths to substance abuse in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Lagos State International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 12(2): 822-836. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v12i2.17.
8
Ayedun, C. A., Omonijo, D. O., Durodola, O. and Omolade, A. (2020) An empirical investigation of the Housing Quality in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Lagos State; Nigeria. Conference: Vision 2025 – Education Excellence and Management of Innovations through Sustainable Economic Competitive Advantage of 14015; Spain.
9
Bangura, J. B., Xiao, S., Qiu, D., Ouyang, F., & Chen, L. (2020). Barriers to childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20, 1108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09169-6.
10
Connolly, P. (2007) Quantitative data analysis in education: A critical introduction using SPSS. London & New York, NY: Routledge.
11
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
12
DeJonckheere M, and Vaughn, L. M. (2019) Semistructured interviewing in primary care research: a balance of relationship and rigour. Fam Med Com Health 7: e000057. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2018-000057 (Accessed 12 July 2021).
13
Ekoh, P. C., et al. (2020). Vaccination coverage in Lagos State: Public health perspectives. Journal of Public Health Policy, 41(1), 58-67. DOI: 10.1057/s41271-020-00226-0.
14
Esposito, S., Principi, N., Cornaglia, G. (2014). Barriers to the vaccination of children and adolescents and possible solutions. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 20(Suppl 5), 25-31. DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12447.
15
Evans, J. R. and Mathur, A. (2005) The Value of Online Surveys Internet Research 15(2): 195 – 219.
16
Eze, P., et al. (2021). Factors associated with routine vaccination coverage in Nigeria: A multilevel analysis of the 2016/2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. BMC Public Health, 21, 2050. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12106-3.
17
Fatiregun, A. A., Balogun, M. R., Sekoni, A. O., & Ajayi, A. I. (2021). Determinants of incomplete vaccination among children aged 12–23 months in Oyo state, Nigeria. Public Health, 197, 95-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.03.016.
18
Fleming, J., Zegwaard, K. E. (2018). Methodologies, methods and ethical considerations for conducting research in work-integrated learning. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, Special Issue, 2018, 19(3), 205-213.
19
Gavi (2023). Six things we’ve learned from Nigeria’s efforts to reach the unimmunised. Available at: https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/six-things-weve-learned-nigerias-efforts-reach-unimmunised, [Accessed: 01/11/2024]
20
Gilmour, S., et al. (2011). Childhood vaccination coverage in developing countries: an evaluation of system-wide solutions. The Lancet Global Health, 379(9837), 1817-1828.
21
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60309-1.
22
Idowu, T.O., Obohwemu, K.O. and Iyevhobu, K.O., (2024). KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF MOTHERS TOWARDS CHILDHOOD VACCINATION IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA. International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health Research, 5(09), pp.69-100.
23
Lemoshow S, Hosmer D, Klar J and Lwanga S (1993). Adequacy of Sample Size in Health Studies. John Wiley and Sons published on behalf of the World Health Organization.
24
Masresha, B. G., et al. (2017). Progress toward measles elimination—African region, 2013–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 66(17), 436–443. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6617a2.
25
Mbachu, C., et al. (2021). Maternal education and childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-country analysis. BMC Public Health, 21, 2280.
26
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12097-1.
27
Ndwandwe, D., et al. (2021). Determinants of incomplete vaccination coverage in Nigeria: Findings from the 2016 National Vaccination Coverage Survey. Journal of Vaccination Research, 36(3), 88-94. DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00423-y.
28
Negussie, A., Kassahun, W., Assegid, S., and Hagan, A. K. (2016). Factors associated with incomplete childhood vaccination in Arbegona district, southern Ethiopia: a case--control study. BMC public health, 16: 27. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2678-1 (Accessed 10 Sept., 2021).
29
Obanewa, O., & Newell, M. L. (2020). Maternal health in Nigeria: A systematic review of maternal health interventions with a focus on vaccination. Global Health Research and Policy, 5, 9. DOI: 10.1186/s41256-019-0113-8.
30
Obohwemu, K., Christie-de Jong, F. and Ling, J., (2022). Parental childhood vaccine hesitancy and predicting uptake of vaccinations: a systematic review. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 23, p.e68.
31
Obohwemu, K. O., (2024a) IMPROVING MATERNAL AWARENESS AND CHILDHOOD VACCINATION UPTAKE IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA. International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health Research. 5(12): 37-57. DOI: https://ijmsphr.com/index.php/ijmsphr/index.
32
Obohwemu, K. O. (2024b). MATERNAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHILDHOOD VACCINATION IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA. Frontline Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Journal, 4(12), 43–66. https://doi.org/10.37547/medical-fmspj-04-12-04
33
Ogege, S. and Seiyefa, E., (2021). Insecurity in Delta State: Issues, Actors and Solutions. Insecurity in the Niger Delta, p.233.
34
Ogunyemi, R. A. and Odusanya, O. O. (2016) A SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE AND REPORTING PRACTICES of primary healthcare workers on adverse experiences following vaccination in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Lagos Niger Postgrad Med J [serial online] 2016 [cited 2022 Jan 3];23:79-85. Available online at: https://www.npmj.org/text.asp?2016/23/2/79/186300.
35
Olusola, O. O., Adeyemi, A. O., & Akinbode, O. A. (2021). Healthcare access and vaccination in Lagos: Barriers in low-income communities. Journal of Global Health, 11, 04014. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.04014.
36
Oluwadare, A. J., & Omoniyi, O. (2022). Maternal knowledge and vaccine uptake in Lagos: A qualitative study on vaccination challenges. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 51(2), 134-140.
37
Ophori, E. A., et al. (2014). Current trends of vaccination in Nigeria: Prospect and challenges. Tropical Medicine and Health, 42(2), 67-75.
38
DOI: 10.2149/tmh.2013-13.
39
Oxford Business Group (2023). Emphasis on health and education infrastructure to drive growth in Delta State. Available at: https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/reports/nigeria/2023-report/delta-state/expanded-access-improved-infrastructure-is-expected-to-extend-health-coverage-and-bridge-the-labour-skills-gap-throughout-the-state-analysis/, [Accessed: 01/11/2024]
40
Oyo-Ita, A., Wiysonge, C. S., Oringanje, C., Nwachukwu, C. E., Oduwole, O., & Meremikwu, M. M. (2016). Interventions for improving childhood vaccination coverage in low- and middle-income countries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7, CD008145. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008145.pub3.
41
Pollard, A. J., & Bijker, E. M. (2021). A guide to vaccinology: From basic principles to new developments. Nature Reviews Immunology, 21(2), 83-100.
42
DOI: 10.1038/s41577-020-00479-7.
43
Rahman, M. S. (2017). The advantages and disadvantages of using qualitative and quantitative approaches and methods in language testing and assessment research: A literature review. Journal of Education and Learning, 6(1), 102-112.
44
Rasinger, S. M. (2013) Quantitative research in Linguistics: An introduction. A & C Black.
45
Sedgwick, P. (2014). Cross-sectional studies: Advantages and disadvantages. BMJ, 348, g2276.
46
Setia, M. S. (2016). Methodology series module 3: Cross-sectional studies. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 61(3), 261-264.
47
Tadesse, H., Deribew, A. and Woldie, M., (2009). Predictors of defaulting from completion of child vaccination in south Ethiopia, May 2008–A case control study. BMC public health, 9, pp.1-6.
48
Tyrer, S. and Heyman, B. (2016) Sampling in epidemiological research: issues, hazards and pitfalls BJPsych Bulletin 40: 57 – 60 Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.114.050203.
49
United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). (2020). Levels & trends in child mortality: Report 2020, estimates developed by the UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, United Nations.
50
Wang, X. and Cheng, Z. (2020) Cross-Sectional Studies: Strengths, Weaknesses and Recommendations CHEST 158(1S0: S65 – S71.
51
WHO (2023). Strong collaboration for better health: Closing immunization gaps in Nigeria through a primary health care approach. Available at: https:// www.who.int/about/accountability/results/who-results-report-2020-mtr/country-story/2023/strong-collaboration-for-better-health--closing-immunization-gaps-in-nigeria-through-a-primary-health-care-approach, [Accessed: 01/11/2024]
52
WHO/UNICEF (2020). Nigeria: WHO and UNICEF estimates of immunization coverage: 2022 revision. Available at: https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/cp/immunisation/nga.pdf?__cf_chl_tk=ZGfqGDZgVaWAjs5RIrwcMVPv3IWilHqT3D3trYVCQBg-1733569701-1.0.1.1-v9nuiUic3o5O6i96NgSUNcwNBB0917fDDoe2aDFDLZ8, [Accessed: 01/11/2024]
53
WHO/UNICEF (2023). Nigeria: WHO and UNICEF estimates of immunization coverage: 2023 revision. Available at: https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/cp/immunisation/nga.pdf, [Accessed: 02/11/2024]
54
WHO/UNICEF. (2020). Nigeria: WHO and UNICEF estimates of vaccination coverage: 2019 revision. Available at: https://www.who.int/vaccination/monitoring_surveillance/data/nga.pdf, (Accessed: 11 September 2024).
55
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Vaccination Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind.