Predictors and Barriers to Full Vaccination among Children in Ethiopia

• Main Authors: Yemesrach A. Tefera, Abram L. Wagner, Eyoel B. Mekonen, Bradley F. Carlson, Matthew L. Boulton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-04-01
• Series: Vaccines
• Subjects: Ethiopia; vaccination coverage; religion; vaccine hesitancy; perinatal care
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/6/2/22

Predictors of immunization status outside of large cities in Ethiopia are not well known, and Muslims have lower vaccination coverage. The aim of this study is to assess factors associated with full immunization among children 12–23 months in Worabe, Ethiopia, a Muslim-majority community. A cross-sectional study is conducted in summer 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the significance of predictors of full immunization. Among 484 children, 61% are fully vaccinated. Children whose mothers had fewer antenatal care (ANC) visits have decreased odds of full vaccination (zero visits: odds ratio (OR) = 0.09; one visit: OR = 0.15; two visits: OR = 0.46; three visits: OR = 0.89). The most common reasons that the mother gave for not vaccinating the child are fear of side reactions (36%), being too busy (31%), or hearing rumors about vaccines (28%). Local interventions incorporating interventions with religious authorities could raise awareness in the community of the importance of childhood immunizations and ANC visits.