Completion of childhood immunization in the rural areas of Uganda: a case study of Muduuma Health Center III, Mpigi District

Abstract

Background: According to World Health Organization (WHO, 2009), immunization is one of the most important public health interventions and cost-effective strategies to reduce child morbidity and mortality associated with childhood infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting the completion of childhood immunization in rural areas, a case study of Muduuma Health Center III, Mpigi District. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Muduuma Health center III in Muduuma subcounty, Mpigi District. Mothers and caretakers of children under 2 years of age were the target population. Data analysis was performed using STATA at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels of analysis. Results: 85 respondents fully completed the survey. The study showed that majority of the respondents were in the age category 20-30 (71.8%), most respondents had secondary level education (56.5%), majority were married (82.4%) and the unemployed women were more than the employed at 52.94%. The significant factors found to significantly influence completion of childhood immunization were age category 31-40 and employed mothers. Conclusion: Only a few factors influencing completion of childhood immunization were covered in this research and so researchers and policy makers are advised to expand the scope so as to explore more factors that are significant to completion of childhood immunization. This can lead to setting up of the necessary policies to increase completion of childhood immunization.