Utilization of Immunization Services among Children Aged Under Five in Kirinyaga County, Kenya
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Date
2019
Authors
Njeru, Margaret W.
Kabue, Priscilla N.
Gachau, Albert G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Abstract
Background: Immunization is the key strategy to curb communicable diseases which are the number one killer of
children under five years of age. Immunization prevents mortalities of approximating three million children under five
years annually. This study aimed to assess utilization of immunization services among children aged under five in
Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 388 participants in the five sub-counties of
Kirinyaga County through systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured interview and review
of recorded data from the Children immunization record card. Data was analyzed using SPSS and chi-square tests
used to measure the association between independent and dependent variables. Statistical significance was set at
p≤0.05.
Results: Immunization at birth and at 6 weeks was highly utilized at 91%. However, there was a decline during the
subsequent visits. Age, gender, profession and level of income were significant factors that affected timely
immunization. Health service barriers to utilization included long ques and waiting time, stock out of vaccine and
rescheduling of vaccination and clinic return dates. Other identified factors were myths and misconception, side
effects, parity and lack of information.
Conclusions: The results showed that utilization of immunization services was not in compliance with the expanded
programme on immunization schedule. There is therefore need for health education programs to be carried out to
improve utilization of immunization services and a door to door campaign to trace and immunize defaulters.
Description
An Article Published in International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Keywords
Utilization, Immunization, Under-fives