Determinants of completion of immunization among children aged 12-23 months in Northern Uganda

Abstract

Although childhood immunization coverage in Uganda has improved since 2006, full coverage of age-appropriate vaccines remains below the WHO recommended vaccine coverage of at least 90%. This study aimed at identifying the determinants of immunization completion among children aged 12-23 months in Northern Uganda.

This study analyzed data of 567 children aged 12–23 months from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). The outcome of the study was full immunization, defined as receiving all the WHO recommended basic vaccines by the age of 12 months. Bivariate analysis of factors associated with full immunization was done using adjusted Chi-square tests for complex sample surveys, while the multivariable analysis was done using binary Logistic regression model to establish the relationship between mother-related (socio-demographic, economic), child related factors and full immunization among children aged 12-23 months.

Full immunization coverage among children aged 12–23 months in Northern Uganda was only 61.9%. Multivariable Logistic Regression revealed significant association between immunization completion and being from Lango sub region compared to the children in Karamoja sub-region (OR=0.386, 95% CI 0.21-0.73, P=0.04). Implying that children from the Lango sub-region were 61% less likely to be fully immunized compared to children from Karamoja indicating a significant disparity in immunization rates between the two sub-regions. The odds of a child born at the hospital being fully immunized were 2.05 times higher than children born at home (OR=2.053, 95% CI 1.37, 3.08, P=<0.001).

Given the significant sub-regional disparities identified in immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 months in Northern Uganda, targeted interventions should be implemented in the Lango sub-region to address the specific challenges hindering immunization completion. These initiatives could involve community engagement, awareness campaigns, and improved accessibility to vaccination services. And hospital-based deliveries should be encouraged as a strategy to improve immunization rates during community engagement and awareness campaigns.