Variations in the Uptake of Routine Immunization in Nigeria: Examining Determinants of Inequitable Access

Why does gender matter for immunization?

Attention to gender-related issues in immunization programmes goes beyond focusing on coverage discrepancies between girls and boys. There are multiple ways in which gender roles, norms and relations influence resource allocation, decision making, access, and health outcomes, including for immunization programmes. Gender impacts immunization both on the demand side through people's health seeking behaviours, and the supply side through provision of health services. To increase immunization coverage, and in particular to reach zero-dose children, it is necessary to understand and address the many ways in which gender interacts with additional socio-economic, geographic and cultural factors -- such as age, race/ethnicity, religion, marital status, education, wealth, sexual orientation and gender identity, HIV status, disability and migration status -- to influence access to and delivery of vaccines. The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) commits to addressing gender-related barriers to immunization and advancing gender equality and gender is an important cross-cutting consideration for all seven IA2030 strategic priorities. Gender-responsive strategies are particularly highlighted as an IA2030 key area of focus for Strategic Priority 3: Coverage & Equity. Gender-related barriers and gender inequality can prevent people, both male and female and those of diverse gender identities, from getting vaccinated. These operate at multiple levels from the individual and family/household to community and within institutions/systems and national policies/frameworks and are underpinned by power relations leading to different opportunities, limitations, challenges, needs and vulnerabilities, especially for women and girls. By applying knowledge about gender and taking action to design gender-responsive interventions, it is possible to implement more effective immunization programmes and increase coverage for all.

Hepatitis B vaccine birth dose coverage among hepatitis B-exposed and hepatitis B-unexposed infants: evidence from the Healthy Beginning Initiative program in Benue State, Nigeria

Introduction

Nigeria offers universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine (HepB-BD) for the prevention and control of hepatitis B (HepB). While prior studies suggest low coverage of HepB-BD in Nigeria, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between the uptake of HepB-BD and maternal HepB status. This study aimed to determine HepB-BD coverage and the associated factors among infants of HepB-positive and -negative women in Nigeria.

Methods

the study was a secondary analysis of data from the Healthy Beginning Initiative program conducted between June 2016 and October 2018 in Benue State, Nigeria. The analysis was restricted to data from a cohort of 6269 mothers who had HepB screening during pregnancy and completed the HepB infant immunization question in the post-delivery survey. The association between the coverage of HepB-BD and maternal HepB status, sociodemographic characteristics, and obstetric factors were determined using crude and adjusted relative risks.

Results

about 10% of the women tested HepB positive. The coverage of HepB-BD was 64% (63.2% among infants of HepB-positive mothers and 63.8% among HepB-negative mothers). The likelihood of infants of HepB-positive mothers receiving HepB-BD was not significantly different from infants of HepB-negative mothers (aRR=0.97, 95%CI= 0.92-1.04). Among HepB-positive mothers, infants of mothers younger than 20 years (aRR=1.49, 95%CI=1.03-2.16) or those who received antenatal care (aRR=1.41, 95%CI=1.16-1.71) were more likely to receive HepB-BD, while mothers with no previous pregnancies (aRR=0.73, 95%CI=0.59-0.91) were less likely to receive HepB-BD. Among HepB-negative mothers, infants of less-educated mothers were less likely to receive HepB-BD (aRR=0.96, 95%CI=0.92-0.99), whereas infants of mothers who received antenatal care (aRR=1.23, 95%CI=1.16-1.31) or had an institutional delivery were more likely (aRR=1.29, 95%CI=1.23-1.36) to receive HepB-BD. Conclusion: our findings highlight the need to improve HepB-BD uptake, particularly among HepB-exposed infants who are at risk of perinatal transmission of HepB.

Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and response on routine childhood vaccination coverage and equity in Northern Nigeria: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Based on 2021 data, Nigeria had the second largest number of zero-dose children globally estimated at over 2.25 million, concentrated in the northern part of the country due to factors some of which are sociocultural. This study analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on childhood vaccination in Northern Nigeria.

METHODS

Using a mixed methods sequential study design in the most populous northern states of Kaduna and Kano, quantitative routine immunisation data for the period 2018-2021 and qualitative data collected through 16 focus group discussions and 40 key informant interviews were used. An adaptation of the socioecological model was used as a conceptual framework. Mean vaccination coverages and test of statistical difference in childhood vaccination data were computed. Qualitative data were coded and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Mean Penta 1 coverage declined in Kaduna from 69.88% (SD=21.02) in 2018 to 59.54% (SD=19.14%) by 2021, contrasting with Kano where mean Penta 1 coverage increased from 51.87% (SD=12.61) to 56.32% (SD=17.62%) over the same period. Outreaches and vaccination in urban areas declined for Kaduna state by 10% over the pandemic period in contrast to Kano state where it showed a marginal increase. The two states combined had an estimated 25% of the country's zero-dose burden in 2021. Lockdowns, lack of transport and no outreaches which varied across the states were some of the factors mentioned by participants to have negatively impacted childhood vaccination. Special vaccination outreaches were among the recommendations for ensuring continued vaccination through a future pandemic.

CONCLUSION

While further interrogating the accuracy of denominator estimates for the urban population, incorporating findings into pandemic preparedness and response will ensure uninterrupted childhood vaccination during emergencies. Addressing the identified issues will be critical to achieving and sustaining universal childhood vaccination in Nigeria.

Comparison of bacterial culture with BioFire® FilmArray® multiplex PCR screening of archived cerebrospinal fluid specimens from children with suspected bacterial meningitis in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis remains a challenge in most developing countries due to low yield from bacterial culture, widespread use of non-prescription antibiotics, and weak microbiology laboratories. The objective of this study was to compare the yield from standard bacterial culture with the multiplex nested PCR platform, the BioFire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (BioFire ME Panel), for cases with suspected acute bacterial meningitis.

METHODS

Following Gram stain and bacterial culture on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from children aged less than 5 years with a clinical suspicion of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) as defined by the WHO guidelines, residual CSF specimens were frozen and later tested by BioFire ME Panel.

RESULTS

A total of 400 samples were analyzed. Thirty-two [32/400 (8%)] of the specimens were culture positive, consisting of; three Salmonella spp. (2 Typhi and 1 non-typhi), three alpha hemolytic Streptococcus, one Staphylococcus aureus, six Neisseria meningitidis, seven Hemophilus influenzae, 11 Streptococcus pneumoniae and 368 were culture negative. Of the 368 culture-negative specimens, the BioFire ME Panel detected at least one bacterial pathogen in 90 (24.5%) samples, consisting of S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and H. influenzae, predominantly. All culture positive specimens for H. influenzae, N. meningitidis and S. pneumoniae also tested positive with the BioFire ME Panel. In addition, 12 specimens had mixed bacterial pathogens identified. For the first time in this setting, we have data on the viral agents associated with meningitis. Single viral agents were detected in 11 (2.8%) samples while co-detections with bacterial agents or other viruses occurred in 23 (5.8%) of the samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The BioFire® ME Panel was more sensitive and rapid than culture for detecting bacterial pathogens in CSF. The BioFire® ME Panel also provided for the first time, the diagnosis of viral etiologic agents that are associated with meningoencephalitis in this setting. Institution of PCR diagnostics is recommended as a routine test for suspected cases of ABM to enhance early diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Trends of infant vaccination timeliness and completion in selected urban slum communities in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria: A four-year review

BACKGROUND

Suboptimal infant vaccination is common in Nigeria and multiple interventions have been deployed to address the situation. Child health indicators are reported to be worse in urban slums compared with other urban areas, but urban data are usually not disaggregated to show these disparities. Examining the timeliness and completion of infant vaccination in urban slums is important to determine the effectiveness of existing interventions in improving infant vaccination among this vulnerable population. This study explored the trends of infant vaccination in selected urban slum communities in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria between November 2014 and October 2018.

METHODS

This was a cross sectional study where infant vaccination data were extracted from the immunization clinic records of six primary health care centers that were providing infant vaccination services for seven urban slum communities. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test at α = 05.

RESULTS

A total of 5,934 infants vaccination records were reviewed, 2,895 (48.8%) were for female infants and 3,002(50.6%) were from Muslim families. Overall, only 0.6% infants had both timely and complete vaccination during the four years under study. The highest number of infants with timely and complete vaccination were seen in 2015(12.2%) and least in 2018(2.9%). Regarding timeliness of the vaccines, BCG, was the least timely among the vaccines given at birth and the pentavalent and oral polio vaccines' timeliness reduced as the age of the infants increased. Both yellow fever and measles vaccines were timelier than the pentavalent vaccines. Vaccines were most timely in 2016(31.3%) and least timely in 2018(12.1%). Those from Muslim families significantly had delayed and incomplete vaccinations compared with those from Chrisitan families (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

Infant vaccinations were significantly delayed and incomplete in the study communities during the years reviewed. More focused interventions are required to ensure optimal vaccination of the infants.

Evidence for "Whole Family Approach" in accelerating uptake of COVID-19 and routine immunizations among integrated primary health services in Nigeria

The family is the simplest unit but possesses the strongest bond in society. These qualities - bond and proximity - that exist both within and across neighboring families, according to our research, can be instrumental in shaping a new kind of health promotion strategy that can transform health behaviors in communities. The Whole Family Approach (WFA) is a government-sanctioned approach to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria. The approach entails leveraging the high family-based demand for some primary health services, such as malaria, diabetes, hypertension, and reproductive services, to generate demand for COVID-19 and routine immunizations. However, since the announcement in 2021, there has been no available evidence to show the impact of the approach on COVID-19 vaccine uptake, though global literature generally favors family-centered health approaches. This study tests the effectiveness of the approach in increasing the utilization of target services in a Nigerian community and further provides a theoretical framework for the strategy. Two primary healthcare facilities were selected in two communities located in Abuja in a quasi-experimental design. After a small-sample landscape assessment of the communities and the facilities, family-targeting health promotion activities were facilitated in the intervention community (integrated health education by trained community health influencers) and facility (opportunistic health promotion through in-facility referrals) for one month. Anonymized service utilization data were acquired from both facilities over a period of four months to analyze their respective month-by-month service utilization trends. Time trend analysis was conducted and revealed that WFA significantly increased service utilization (N = 5870; p < 0.001, α = 0.01, 99% CI) across all the package services provided at the intervention facility. A supplementary Pearson's correlation analysis further presented a positive relationship (r = 0.432-0.996) among the services which favored the result. It can therefore be concluded that the "Whole Family Approach" of health promotion is efficacious in accelerating uptake of priority health services such as COVID-19 and routine immunizations. While there is more to be understood about this interesting approach, we recommend the improvement of communication and capacity gaps in Nigeria's primary healthcare system to ensure that promising strategies such as the WFA are adequately implemented at the community and facility levels.

Improving timeliness and completion of infant vaccination among infants in Nigerian urban slums through older women's participation

Nigerian urban slums have a high population of infants with suboptimal vaccination despite previous interventions. Older women traditionally play supervisory roles in infant care in Nigeria but their influence is untapped in infant vaccination. This study sought to determine if training of older women (≥35 years) in urban slum communities in Ibadan, South west Nigeria, and involving them in infant vaccination will improve infant vaccination timeliness and completion. This was a randomized experimental community study and pregnant women in their third trimester, residing in seven urban slum communities were randomized using their antenatal clinics (ANCs) into intervention (six ANCs) and control groups (six ANCs). The older women who will supervise the care of the infants of pregnant women in the intervention group had seven sessions of training on the importance of infant vaccination timeliness and completion. The vaccinations of the infants from both groups were compared from birth till 9 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test at α = 0.05. There were 96 older women, 198 pregnant women (105 in intervention group and 93 controls) and 202 infants (109 in intervention group and 93 controls). Infants in the intervention group (67.9%) significantly had both timely and complete vaccinations compared with those in the control group (36.6%). Vaccines given at birth were the least timely in both groups. More infants whose older women caregiver were married had timely and complete vaccinations. Also, a higher proportion of male infants, low birth weight babies and infants with older women caregiver with at most two children had timely and completed vaccinations but these were not statistically significant. Training of older women caregivers improved infant vaccination timeliness and completion in these urban slum communities. This model may improve infant vaccination in other similar urban slum settings.

Tetanus seroprotection among children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013–2014

Background

Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease that is preventable through vaccination. While the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to improve implementing routine vaccination activities throughout the country, they have struggled to maintain high childhood vaccine coverage. This study aims to examine the seroprevalence of tetanus in children 6 to 59 months to identify areas for intervention and improvement of vaccination coverage.

Methods

In collaboration with the 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey, we assessed the seroprevalence of tetanus antibodies among children in the DRC. Dried blood spot samples collected from children 6–59 months of age were processed using a prototype DYNEX Multiplier® chemiluminescent automated immunoassay instrument with a multiplex measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and tetanus assay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with tetanus vaccination and seroprotection.

Results

Overall, 36.1% of children 6–59 months of age reported receiving at least 1 dose of tetanus vaccine while 28.7% reported receiving 3 doses; tetanus seroprotection was 40%. Increasing age in children was associated with decreased tetanus seroprotection, but increased number tetanus vaccinations received. Factors related to increased tetanus seroprotection included number of children in the household, wealth index of the family, urban residence compared to rural, level of maternal education, and province and geography.

Conclusions

Our findings in this nationally representative sample indicate that serology biomarkers may help identify children who are not fully immunized to tetanus more accurately than reported vaccination. While children may be captured for routine immunization activities, as children age, decreasing seroprevalence may indicate additional need to bolster routine vaccination activities and documentation of vaccination in school aged children. Additionally, the study highlights gaps in rural residential areas and vaccination coverage based on maternal education, indicating that policies targeting maternal education and awareness could improve the coverage and seroprevalence of tetanus antibodies in the DRC.

The coverage of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in Nigeria: Does the place of delivery matter?

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination coverage remains suboptimal in Nigeria. While evidence suggests that institutional delivery is associated with the uptake of HepB-BD vaccine, little is known about how the uptake differs by facility ownership (public or private). This study examined the HepB-BD vaccination coverage by place of delivery in Nigeria.

METHODS

This study is a secondary analysis of data on 6143 children aged 12-23 mo obtained from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. We assessed the association between HepB-BD vaccination and the place of delivery using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

About 53% of the children received the HepB-BD vaccine. Approximately 77, 83 and 33% of those delivered at a public health facility, private health facility and at home received the HepB-BD vaccine, respectively. After controlling for child- and maternal-level factors, the odds of receiving HepB-BD vaccine were significantly lower in children delivered at a private health facility (adjusted OR [aOR]=0.77, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.99) or at home (aOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.63). Wealth index and region of residence were significantly associated with the receipt of HepB-BD vaccination in all three places of delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Children are less likely to receive the HepB-BD vaccine if they are delivered at a private health facility or at home. There is a need for private health sector engagement for immunization service delivery and innovative community-based interventions to reach the children delivered at home.

Designing an SMS reminder intervention to improve vaccination uptake in Northern Nigeria: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Penta3 coverage in Nigeria was low at 33 % in 2017. The most reported reason for non-vaccination was lack of knowledge about the immunization place, time, and need. To address knowledge gaps and improve vaccination uptake, we designed an Immunization Reminder and Information SMS System (IRISS) to educate and remind parents/caregivers about immunization using SMS. A formative study was conducted to understand the contextual and behavioural factors that would inform the IRISS intervention design and implementation.

METHODS

We conducted the study in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kebbi State Nigeria in October 2018, amongst a diverse selection of participants. Data on social norms about vaccinations, barriers to immunization uptake, mobile phone use, SMS message testing, and willingness to accept SMS reminders were collected from focus group discussions (N = 11), in-depth interviews (N = 12), and key informant interviews (N = 13). In addition, we assessed 33 messages covering schedule reminders, normative, motivational, educational, and informative contents for clarity, comprehensibility, relevance, cultural appropriateness, and ability to motivate action among community members from Argungu and Fakai LGAs. All interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

We interviewed 135 people, and 90 % were community members. While we found positive perceptions about immunizations among those interviewed, pockets of misconceptions existed among community members. Lack of awareness on the importance of vaccination was a consistent reason for under-vaccination across the LGAs. In addition, most community members do not own phones, could not read SMS messages, and were unaware of how to check/open text messages received. Despite concerns about low literacy levels and phone ownership, community members still saw a role in SMS reminders when phone owners receive messages. For instance, community leaders can disseminate said messages to community members through existing channels such as town announcers and religious gatherings. Therefore, the SMS becomes a source of information, with phone owners acting as a conduit to community dissemination mechanisms. We generally found the tested messages to be relevant, motivating, and culturally acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

SMS reminders have the potential to bridge the information gap in community awareness for vaccination, which can translate to improved immunization uptake. In rural communities with low literacy levels and phone ownership, immunization information can be disseminated when existing community leadership structures are engaged.

Maternal healthcare utilsation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study of 29 nationally representative surveys

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to examine the association between maternal healthcare utilisation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa.

DESIGN

Our study was a cross-sectional study that used pooled data from 29 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 60 964 mothers of children aged 11-23 months were included in the study.

OUTCOME VARIABLES

The main outcome variable was complete childhood vaccination. The explanatory variables were number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, assistance during delivery and postnatal care (PNC).

RESULTS

The average prevalence of complete childhood vaccination was 85.6%, ranging from 67.0% in Ethiopia to 98.5% in Namibia. Our adjusted model, children whose mothers had a maximum of three ANC visits were 56% less likely to have complete vaccination, compared with those who had at least four ANC visits (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.44, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.46). Children whose mothers were assisted by traditional birth attendant/other (aOR=0.43, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.56) had lower odds of complete vaccination. The odds of complete vaccination were lower among children whose mothers did not attend PNC clinics (aOR=0.26, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.29) as against those whose mothers attended.

CONCLUSION

The study found significant variations in complete childhood vaccination across countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal healthcare utilisation (ANC visits, skilled birth delivery, PNC attendance) had significant association with complete childhood vaccination. These findings suggest that programmes, interventions and strategies aimed at improving vaccination should incorporate interventions that can enhance maternal healthcare utilisation. Such interventions can include education and sensitisation, reducing cost of maternal healthcare and encouraging male involvement in maternal healthcare service utilisation.

An epidemiological investigation of the 2019 suspected pertussis outbreak in northwestern Nigeria

Introduction:

In 2019, we investigated the profile of the cases and controls and the determinants of pertussis transmission in Kebbi State, Northwestern Nigeria, to inform better immunization and surveillance strategies.

Methods:

Community-based unmatched case–control study and review of the 2019 pertussis routine surveillance data in the affected settlements in the state were conducted. A total of 52 suspected cases of pertussis and 107 control from two local government areas in Kebbi State were recruited. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

The highest attack rate was observed among between 1- and 4-year age group followed by children less than 1-year old, and the least attack rate was among those above 15 years. The overall attack rate and the case fatality rate were 2.10% and 0.10%, respectively. A higher attack rate was observed among women, whereas the case fatality rate was more among males. From the community survey, we observed that the cases were less likely to have pertussis vaccination history (adjusted odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.11–0.74) compared with the controls. Knowing pertussis prevention methods were found protective for pertussis transmission (adjusted odds ratio = 0.14, 95% confidence interval = 0.04–0.45).

Conclusion:

This study showed the vulnerability of children under 5 years, especially under 1 year, to vaccine-preventable diseases in rural populations, where “real” immunization coverage is sub-optimal, and the dominant socio-demographic factors are supportive of disease transmission. We found immunization and knowledge of the preventive measures to be protective against pertussis outbreaks. Therefore, routine immunization services must be intensified to improve coverage and prevent future pertussis outbreak(s).

Pro-equity immunization and health systems strengthening strategies in select Gavi-supported countries

BACKGROUND

Achieving universal immunization coverage and reaching every child with life-saving vaccines will require the implementation of pro-equity immunization strategies, especially in poorer countries. Gavi-supported countries continue to implement and report strategies that aim to address implementation challenges and improve equity. This paper summarizes the first mapping of these strategies from country reports.

METHODS

Thirteen Gavi-supported countries were purposively selected with emphasis on Gavi's priority countries. Following a scoping of different documents submitted to Gavi by countries, 47 Gavi Joint Appraisals (JAs) for the period 2016-2019 from the 13 selected countries were included in the mapping. We used a consolidated framework synthesized from 16 different equity and health systems frameworks, which incorporated UNICEF's coverage and equity assessment approach - an adaptation of the Tanahashi model. Using search terms, the mapping was conducted using a combination of manual search and the MAXQDA qualitative analysis tool. Pro-equity strategies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and compiled in an Excel database, and then populated on a tableau visualization dashboard.

RESULTS

In total, 258 pro-equity strategies were implemented by the 13 sampled Gavi-supported countries between 2016 and 2019. The framework determinants of social norms, utilization, and management and coordination accounted for more than three-quarters of all pro-equity strategies implemented in these countries. The median number of strategies reported per country was 17. Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Uganda reported the highest number of strategies that we considered as pro-equity.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this mapping can be useful in addressing equity gaps, reaching partially immunized, and 'zero-dose' vaccinated children, and valuable resource for countries planning to implement pro-equity strategies, especially as immunization stakeholders reimagine immunization delivery in light of COVID-19, and as Gavi finalizes its fifth organizational strategy. Future efforts should seek to identify pro-equity strategies being implemented across additional countries, and to assess the extent to which these strategies have improved immunization coverage and equity.

Vaccination coverage in children resident in a rural community in Nigeria: socio-ecological and contextual determinants

Objectives

The national vaccination coverage rate and the coverage rate in rural communities in Nigeria are below the global vaccine action target of 80%; hence, evaluation of factors that determine vaccination status and determine the proportion of children aged 12–59 months who are fully immunised in the rural community should be conducted.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an interview-structured questionnaire that was pilot tested before being administered. In the study, a two-stage sampling technique was used and the sample size was determined using the EPI-Info, version 7, software.

Key Findings

Of the 608 caregiver–child pairs that was assessed, the majority (525, 86.35%) were mothers. Assessment of immunisation status showed that the majority of the children (429, 70.56%) were completely vaccinated while 179 (29.44%) were incompletely vaccinated. Educational status (χ 2 = 59.85, df = 4, P &lt; 0.001), the level of knowledge about vaccination (χ 2 = 77.62, df = 2, P &lt; 0.001), family setting (χ 2 = 27.70, df = 3, P &lt; 0.001), maternal ANC visits (χ 2 = 85.37, df = 2, P &lt; 0.001), type of birth (χ 2 = 7.27, df = 2, P = 0.03) and child’s breastfeeding status (χ 2 = 80.75, df = 2, P &lt; 0.001) were all significantly associated with the vaccination status of the child.

Conclusion

The study has shown that immunisation coverage in the rural community surveyed is still below the expected target; thus, public health intervention should still focus on individual, community, socio-cultural and healthcare-related factors as this will improve the immunisation status of children in rural communities.

Inequalities in measles immunization coverage in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health surveys 2000-2016

Background

Ethiopia has low measles immunization coverage and little is known about the disparities surrounding what coverage is provided. This study assessed disparities in measles immunization and its change over time using the four Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2016.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analysis of data using Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) conducted between 2000 and 2016. We used the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) to present the inequalities. Four measures of inequality were calculated: Difference (D), Ratio (R), Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) and Population Attributable Risk (PAR). The results were disaggregated by wealth, education, residence, sex and sub-national regions and 95% Uncertainty Intervals (UIs) were computed for each point estimate to boost confidence of the findings.

Results

Measles immunization coverage was higher among the richest and secondary and above schools’ subgroup by nearly 30 to 31 percentage points based on point estimates (D = 31%; 95% CI; 19.48, 42.66) and 29.8 percentage points (D = 29.8%; 95% CI; 16.57, 43.06) as compared to the poorest and no education subgroup respectively in the 2016 survey. Still, in the 2016 survey, substantial economic status (PAF = 36.73; 95%CI: 29.78, 43.68), (R = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.35, 2.08), education status (PAF = 45.07; 95% CI: 41.95, 48.18), (R = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.30, 1.90), place of residence (PAF = 39.84, 95% CI: 38.40, 41.27), (R = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.20, 1. 74) and regional (PAF = 71.35, 95% CI: 31.76, 110.95), (R = 3.09, 95%CI: 2.01, 4.17) inequality were observed with both simple and complex measures. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of measles immunization between male and female children in all the studied years, as indicated, for instance, by measures of PAF in 2000 (PAF = 0; 95%CI: − 6.79, 6.79), 2005 (PAF = 0; 95%CI: − 6.04, 6.04), 2011(PAF = 0; 95%CI: − 3.79, 3.79) and 2016 (PAF = 2.66; − 1.67; 6.99). Overall, the inequality of measles immunization narrowed significantly by at least some of the measures between the first and the last survey periods across all the studied subgroups.

Conclusions

National, regional and district levels of government should make a pledge to reduce inequalities in coverage of measles immunization. Equity-sensitive strategies, sufficient human and financial resources as well as continued research and monitoring of immunization coverage inequalities are necessary to achieve related sustainable development goals.

Complete vaccination service utilization inequalities among children aged 12-23 months in Ethiopia: a multivariate decomposition analyses

BACKGROUND

Although World Health Organization works to make vaccination service available to everyone everywhere by 2030, majority of the world's children have been unvaccinated and unprotected from vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, evidences on factors contributing to changes in vaccination coverage across residential areas, wealth categories and over time have not been adequate. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating inequalities in vaccination status of children aged 12-23 months owing to variations in wealth status, residential areas and over time.

METHODS

Maternal and child health service data were extracted from the 2011 and 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey datasets. Then, multivariate decomposition analysis was done to identify the major factors contributing to differences in the rate of vaccination utilization across residences and time variations. Similarly, a concentration index and curve were also done to identify the concentration of child vaccination status across wealth categories.

RESULTS

Among children aged 12-23 months, the prevalence of complete childhood vaccination status increased from 20.7% in rural to 49.2% in urban in 2011 and from 31.7% in rural to 66.8% in urban residences in 2016. The decomposition analyses indicated that 72% in 2011 and 70.5% in 2016 of the overall difference in vaccination status was due to differences in respondent characteristics. Of the changes due to the composition of respondent characteristics, such as antenatal care and place of delivery were the major contributors to the increase in complete childhood vaccination in 2011, while respondent characteristics such as wealth index, place of delivery and media exposure were the major contributors to the increase in 2016. Of the changes due to differences in coefficients, those of low wealth status in 2016 across residences significantly contributed to the differences in complete childhood vaccination. On top of that, from 2011 to 2016, there was a significant increment in complete childhood vaccination status and a 59.8% of the overall increment between the surveys was explained by the difference in composition of respondents. With regard to the change in composition, the differences in composition of ANC visit, wealth status, place of delivery, residence, maternal education and media exposure across the surveys were significant predictors for the increase in complete child vaccination over time. On the other hand, the wealth-related inequalities in the utilization of childhood vaccination status were the pro-rich distribution of health services with a concentration index of CI = 0.2479 (P-value < 0.0001) in 2011 and [CI = 0.1987; P-value < 0.0001] in 2016.

CONCLUSION

A significant rural-urban differentials was observed in the probability of a child receiving the required childhood vaccines. Children in urban households were specifically more likely to have completed the required number of vaccines compared to the rural areas in both surveys. The effect of household wealth status on the probability of a child receiving the required number of vaccines are similar in the 2011 and 2016 surveys, and the vaccination status was high in households with high wealth status. The health policies aimed at reducing wealth related inequalities in childhood vaccination in Ethiopia need to adjust focus and increasingly target vulnerable children in rural areas. It is of great value to policy-makers to understand and design a compensation mechanism for the costs incurred by poor households. Special attention should also be given to rural communities through improving their access to the media. The findings highlight the importance of women empowerment, for example, through education to enhance childhood vaccination services in Ethiopia.

The role of place of residency in childhood immunisation coverage in Nigeria: analysis of data from three DHS rounds 2003-2013

Background

In 2017, about 20% of the world’s children under 1 year of age with incomplete DPT vaccination lived in Nigeria. Fully-immunised child coverage (FIC), which is the percentage of children aged 12–23 months who received all doses of routine infant vaccines in their first year of life in Nigeria is low. We explored the associations between child, household, community and health system level factors and FIC, in particular focussing on urban formal and slum, and rural residence, using representative Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) data from 2003, 2008 and 2013.

Method

Multilevel logistic regression models were applied for quantitative analyses of NDHS 2003, 2008 and 2013 data, singly, pooled overall and stratified by rural/urban, and within urban by formal and slum. We also quantify Population Attributable Risk (PAR) of FIC.

Results

FIC for rural, urban formal and slum rose from 7.4, 25.6 and 24.9% respectively in 2003 to 15.8, 45.5 and 38.5% in 2013, and varied across sociodemographics. In pooled NDHS analysis, overall and stratified, final FIC adjusted odds (aOR) were: 1. Total population - delivery place (health facility vs home, aOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.73–1.73), maternal education (higher vs no education, aOR = 3.92, 95% CI = 1.79–8.59) and place of residence (urban vs rural, aOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 0.89–3.22). 2. Rural, urban formal and slum stratified: A.Rural – delivery place (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.12–1.94), maternal education (aOR = 4.99, 95% CI = 2.48–10.06). B.Urban formal - delivery place (aOR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.43–4.79), maternal education level (aOR = 9.18, 95% CI = 3.05–27.64). C.Slums - delivery place (aOR = 5.39, 95% CI = 2.18–13.33), maternal education (aOR = 5.03, 95% CI = 1.52–16.65). The PAR revealed the highest percentage point increase in FIC would be achieved in all places of residence by maternal higher education: rural-38.15, urban formal-22.88 and slum 23.76, while non-attendance of antenatal care was estimated to lead to the largest reduction in FIC.

Conclusion

Although low FIC in rural areas may be largely due to lack of health facilities and immunisation education, the intra-urban disparity is mostly unexplained, and requires further qualitative and interventional research. We show the FIC point increase that can be achieved if specific sociodemographic variable (risk) are addressed in the various communities, thus informing prioritisation of interventions.

Interpersonal and community influences affecting childhood vaccination decision-making among Nigerian caregivers: Perceptions among frontline workers in Nigeria

Although routine immunization has contributed to a substantial reduction in mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases globally, vaccine-preventable diseases are attributable for 22% of childhood deaths in Nigeria. Individual and structural level factors that influence vaccination uptake in Nigeria have been well documented. However, there is limited information about the role of interpersonal and community level factors. Frontline workers play a crucial role in delivering life-saving vaccines in Nigeria, as they are tasked with ensuring that all children are vaccinated, within the health system as well as traveling to underserved areas, where health systems are not able to reach. This qualitative study conducted focus groups to examine frontline workers' perceptions of influences affecting caregivers' vaccine-related decision-making. Community- and facility-based frontline workers (n = 47) identified village and community chiefs, as well as religious leaders as influential within the context of immunization uptake because of their trusted role within communities. Male partners and husbands were identified as also holding an enormous level of influence over childhood vaccination, and the credibility of frontline workers influenced vaccination coverage. Immunization programs should target not only caregivers but also key influencers-such as interpersonal and community sources-to make progress in reaching vaccination coverage goals.

Geographical variation and associated factors of childhood measles vaccination in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis

BACKGROUND

In Ethiopia, despite considerable improvement of measles vaccination, measles outbreaks is occurring in most parts of the country. Understanding the neighborhood variation in childhood measles vaccination is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. However, the spatial pattern of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) and its predictors are poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to explore the spatial pattern and associated factors of childhood MCV1 coverage.

METHODS

An in-depth analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey data was conducted, and a total of 3722 children nested in 611 enumeration areas were included in the analysis. Global Moran's I statistic and Poisson-based purely spatial scan statistics were employed to explore spatial patterns and detect spatial clusters of childhood MCV1, respectively. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with childhood MCV1.

RESULTS

Spatial hetrogeniety of childhood MCV1 was observed (Global Moran's I = 0.13, p-value < 0.0001), and seven significant SaTScan clusters of areas with low MCV1 coverage were detected. The most likely primary SaTScan cluster was detected in the Afar Region, secondary cluster in Somali Region, and tertiary cluster in Gambella Region. In the final model of the multilevel analysis, individual and community level factors accounted for 82% of the variance in the odds of MCV1 vaccination. Child age (AOR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.25-1.88), pentavalent vaccination first dose (AOR = 9.09; 95%CI: 6.86-12.03) and third dose (AOR = 7.12; 95%CI: 5.51-9.18, secondary and above maternal education (AOR = 1.62; 95%CI: 1.03-2.55) and media exposure were the factors that increased the odds of MCV1 vaccination at the individual level. Children with older maternal age had lower odds of receiving MCV1. Living in Afar, Oromia, Somali, Gambella and Harari regions were factors associated with lower odds of MCV1 from the community-level factors. Children far from health facilities had higher odds of receiving MCV1 (AOR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.12-1.61).

CONCLUSION

A clustered pattern of areas with low childhood MCV1 coverage was observed in Ethiopia. Both individual and community level factors were significant predictors of childhood MCV1. Hence, it is good to give priority for the areas with low childhood MCV1 coverage, and to consider the identified factors for vaccination interventions.

Rural-urban comparison of routine immunization utilization and its determinants in communities in Anambra States, Nigeria

Objectives:

The study determined the levels of geographic differences in the utilization of routine immunization between households in an urban and a rural community. It also identified and compared the determinants of utilization of routine immunization in the two geographic areas.

Method:

The study was undertaken in two randomly selected communities (one rural and one urban) in Anambra State, Nigeria. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on utilization of immunization services from households. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Result:

Households in the urban community had a higher level of utilization of routine immunization (95.5%) than those in the rural community (75.3%) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). It was also found that more rural dwellers (83.3%) received immunization services from public health facilities compared to the urban dwellers (42%; p < 0.05). Health facilities were nearer to households in the urban community than the rural community (p < 0.05). Mean cost of service per visit was higher in the urban community (p < 0.05), but the difference in the mean cost of transportation per visit was not significant (p = 0.125). Regression analysis shows that place of residence was highly significant for utilization of routine immunization services (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Urban–rural differences exist in utilization of routine immunization services. Health facilities are more proximal to consumers in the urban community than the rural community, with higher travel costs among rural dwellers. Ensuring that there is a functional primary healthcare center in every ward and provision of routine immunization services in market places on local market days can help to increase utilization and reduce rural–urban differences in utilization of immunization services.

Individual- and community-level determinants of child immunization in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A multilevel analysis

Understanding modifiable determinants of full immunization of children provide a valuable contribution to immunization programs and help reduce disease, disability, and death. This study is aimed to assess the individual and community-level determinants of full immunization coverage among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study used data from the Demographic and Health Survey 2013–14 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Data regarding total 3,366 children between 12 and 23 months of age were used in this study. Children who were immunized with one dose of BCG, three doses of polio, three doses of DPT, and a dose of measles vaccine was considered fully immunized. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the prevalence and distribution of full immunization coverage. Two-level multilevel logistic regression analysis, with individual-level (level 1) characteristics nested within community-level (level 2) characteristics, was used to assess the individual- and community-level determinants of full immunization coverage. This study found that about 45.3% [95%CI: 42.02, 48.52] of children aged 12–23 months were fully immunized in the DRC. The results confirmed immunization coverage varied and ranged between 5.8% in Mongala province to 70.6% in Nord-Kivu province. Results from multilevel analysis revealed that, four Antenatal Care (ANC) visits [AOR: 1.64; 95%CI: 1.23, 2.18], institutional delivery [AOR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.52, 3.72], and Postnatal Care (PNC) service utilization [AOR: 1.43; 95%CI: 1.04, 1.95] were statistically significantly associated with the full immunization coverage. Similarly, children of mothers with secondary or higher education [AOR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.81] and from the richest wealth quintile [AOR: 1.96; 95%CI: 1.18, 3.27] had significantly higher odds of being fully immunized compared to their counterparts whose mothers were relatively poorer and less educated. Among the community-level characteristics, residents of the community with a higher rate of institutional delivery [AOR: 2.36; 95%CI: 1.59, 3.51] were found to be positively associated with the full immunization coverage. Also, the random effect result found about 35% of the variation in immunization coverage among the communities was attributed to community-level factors.The Democratic Republic of Congo has a noteworthy gap in full immunization coverage. Modifiable factors–particularly health service utilization including four ANC visits, institutional delivery, and postnatal visits–had a strong positive effect on full immunization coverage. The study underlines the importance of promoting immunization programs tailored to the poor and women with little education.

Inequalities in child immunization coverage in Ghana: evidence from a decomposition analysis

Childhood vaccination has been promoted as a global intervention aimed at improving child survival and health, through the reduction of vaccine preventable deaths. However, there exist significant inequalities in achieving universal coverage of child vaccination among and within countries. In this paper, we examine rural-urban inequalities in child immunizations in Ghana. Using data from the recent two waves of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, we examine the probability that a child between 12 and 59 months receives the required vaccinations and proceed to decompose the sources of inequalities in the probability of full immunization between rural and urban areas. We find significant child-specific, maternal and household characteristics on a child's immunization status. The results show that children in rural areas are more likely to complete the required vaccinations. The direction and sources of inequalities in child immunizations have changed between the two survey waves. We find a pro-urban advantage in 2008 arising from differences in observed characteristics whilst a pro-rural advantage emerges in 2014 dominated by the differences in coefficients. Health system development and campaign efforts have focused on rural areas. There is a need to also specifically target vulnerable children in urban areas, to maintain focus on women empowerment and pay attention to children from high socio-economic households in less favourable economic times.