Research Article
Melaku Kindie Yenit, Sahilu As
Abstract
Introduction: Immunization is an effective public health intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality among children and it will become more effective if the child can receive the full course of recommended immunization doses. However this, due to various reasons many fail to complete the full course of immunization. Therefore the objective of the study was to identify factors associated with incomplete childhood vaccinations among children 12-23 months of age in Machakel Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Northeast Ethiopia. Method: Community based unmatched case control study design with quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were conducted in Machakel district, North east Ethiopia from March20 – April 30, 2014. Quantitative data were collected from mothers who had 12-23 months aged children. Census was done to identify all cases and controls. For quantitative method, a sample of 154 cases and 154 controls were selected using stratified multistage random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire using interview data collection technique and data were entered into Epinfo software and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windows version 16 and logistic regression methods were used. Result: predictors of defaulting from completion of childhood vaccination were being delivered at home [AOR=4.113, (95% CI: 2.263, 7.475)], children born from mothers who had no antenatal care visit during pregnancy [AOR=2.549, (95% CI: 1.312, 4.955)], Mothers/caretakers of child who had misperception on vaccine contraindication (AOR: 2.834, 95%CI :( 1.558, 5.156)) and children born from mothers who had no Post natal care visit (AOR=2.512, 95%CI :( 1.184, 5.330)). Conclusion: Health service related factors like child place of delivery, antenatal care and postnatal care service; knowledge related factors like Misconception on vaccine contraindication were independent predictors for incomplete vaccination. So mothers should be educated on vaccine contraindication and on provision of maternal health service.