Maternal Healthcare-seeking Behaviour and Timely Childhood Vaccination in Low- Resource Agricultural Areas of Nigeria

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Maternal healthcare-seeking behavior is a key determinant of childhood vaccination rates. Understanding this behavior among mothers makes improving vaccination rates and reducing preventable disease incidence possible. Maternal Healthcare-seeking Behavior (MHB) in rural Nigeria is low, with high maternal mortality. Empirical evidence linking MHB to the vaccination of children is limited; therefore, the effect of maternal health-care-seeking behaviour on the timely immunization of children in low-resource agricultural areas in Nigeria was investigated. Method Secondary data sourced from the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey were utilized in this study. Information on vaccines collected by the children, prenatal care, timing of first ante-natal, number of ante-natal visits during pregnancy, assisted by a skilled attendant, and post-natal care by mothers was extracted from 2,751 women with under-five children. It was analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple correspondence analysis, and an extended ordered logit model. Results Women in rural Nigeria seek the use of maternal healthcare facilities moderately with a mean value of 0.54 while most (55.85%) of the children are unimmunized. The MHB and husband’s education improved partial vaccination in children, while the husband’s education and mother's full employment in agriculture improved the child’s full vaccination status. Conclusion It was concluded that MHB improved child vaccination status in low-resource areas in Nigeria. Therefore, policies to facilitate better use of maternal healthcare facilities should be formulated and upheld. The government should also try to create mini health centers in major markets across states where pregnant mothers can have their antenatal care and vaccines can as well be administered to children. Also, implementing programs and policies to improve child vaccination in low-resource areas in Nigeria should be considered.