Determinants of Full Vaccination Status Among Children Aged 12 to 23 Months in Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Childhood immunization remains one of the most cost-effective preventive strategies against mortality and morbidity among children. The study sought to identify determinants of full vaccination status among children aged 12 to 23 months in Calabar South LGA, Cross River State. The study was a community-based cross-sectional study among 460 children in the 12 to 23 months age bracket, and information about them was obtained from their caregivers. The sample size of 460 was calculated using the Cochran formula. The study is a quantitative component of a bigger mixed-method study conducted from October to December 2023 among 5 wards selected from the 12 wards in Calabar South through a 2-stage cluster sampling. SPSS was used for data entry and analysis, and ethical approval was obtained from the CRS ethical committee (CRSMOH/RP/HREC/2023/401). The prevalence of full vaccination was presented as a pie chart. Bivariate analysis was carried out using Chi-square test statistics while significant variables at 5% were subjected to multivariable regression to identify independent determinants of full vaccination at a 95% confidence interval. The proportion with full vaccination status was 67%, factors associated with full vaccination included the child's sex/age, caregiver's age, education, occupation, relationship to the child, knowledge, and attitude towards vaccination. Independent determinants of full vaccination included caregivers' age, education, occupation, knowledge, attitude, and the occurrence of missed opportunities. Understanding these variations is crucial for policymakers and healthcare professionals to tailor interventions effectively, addressing region-specific challenges and enhancing overall vaccination coverage.