Exploring the predictors of vaccination completeness in the first year of life. Analysis of a community-based household survey in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Background: Only 4 in 10 children in Uganda are fully vaccinated by the first year of life, despite its clear benefits in averting millions of deaths. Major determinants and barriers to higher coverage levels of vaccination remain unknown in the rural settings in Uganda. This study sought to explore the effect of the mothers’ social, individual and health system factors on complete vaccination coverage among children aged 12 to 23 months in Eastern Uganda. Methods: This study used data from the Expanded Quality Management Using Information Power (EQUIP) project. Continuous health facility censuses and repeated probability sample household surveys organized in six rounds were implemented between 2011 and 2014. Identified resident women of reproductive age with a live birth since 2010 were interviewed on care received during ante-, peri- and postpartum including immunization. Personal digital assistants were used to capture data and completion of interviews was 91% in Uganda. The main outcome indicator was the proportion of one year olds who had received BCG, Polio (3 times), DPT (3 times) and Measles (once) in their first year of life. Explanatory variables were the age group, wealth, level of education, religion, place of birth, distance from the health center, house hold members and antenatal care attendance. Mother’s ability to get; permission from their husbands, money and transport to facility, good health worker’s attitude, vaccine stock-out levels, and preference for traditional medicine were also assessed. Analysis: The analysis included bivariate and multivariate analysis. Explanatory variables which had an association with the outcome indicators with a P value less than 0.2 were included in the logistic regression models, adjusting for clustering. Results: Overall vaccination coverage was 46%. Coverage in children aged 12-23 months was 97% for BCG, 67% for DPT, 40% for Polio and 59% for Measles. Maternal age above 20 years (OR=1.4, P=0.02), attendance of antenatal care (OR=1.7, P=0.01), delivery at a health facility (OR=1.5, P=0.00), shorter distance between home and health facility (OR=2.1, P=0.00) were significant positive predictors of immunization completeness in the first year of life but absolute differences were small. Conclusion: The high vaccination drop outs during the first year are calling for interventions to improve adherence to vaccination schedules and to strengthen information on vaccination at all contact opportunities along the continuum of care.