Factors associated with immunization of children in Kaduna State, Nigeria, 2016

Introduction Immunization is one of the safest and most effective interventions to prevent disease and early child death1. Although, about three quarters of the world’s child population is reached with the required vaccines, only half of the children in Sub-Saharan Africa get access to basic immunization2. A substantial number of children worldwide do not complete immunization schedules because neither health services nor conventional communication mechanisms regularly reach their communities3. Separate studies in Australia and Papua New Guinea have shown that knowledge gaps underlie low compliance with vaccination schedules3, 4. Mothers are less likely to complete immunization schedules if they are poorly Informed about the need for immunization, logistics (which includes time, date, and place of vaccination), and the appropriate series of vaccines to be followed5, 6. Although knowledge in itself is insufficient to create demand, poor knowledge about the need for vaccination and when the next vaccination is due is a good indicator of poor compliance7. Up-to-date, complete, and scientifically valid information about vaccines can help parents to make informed decisions8. Immunity gap created by this low immunization coverage in Northern Nigeria favors the emergence and transmission of some vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) especially measles and polio9.