Factors that affect the immunization process in the ethnic community of Chachis, Ecuador 2018

Abstract

Background: the immunization is an important component of the right to health. The National Strategy of Immunization has the objective of contributing to the reduction of infant morbidity and infant mortality due to preventable diseases through immunization. Vaccination is considered to be an effective and low-cost procedure that saves lives of millions of children. However, the children of indigenous communities are vulnerable to preventable diseases by vaccination due to being non-recipient of immunization. Factors that affect the immunization process are: lack of knowledge, attitude, and ethnic practices. Objective: to identify the factors that affect the immunization process in ethnic community of Chachis. Methods: a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was used for families with children up to 5 years old in the ethnic community of Chachis, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador from April 15th to August 10th, 2018. The population was composed of 170 natives of Chachis community while the sample was 30 members of the community to whom the criteria of inclusion and exclusion were applied. Results: the immunization process was affected by factors such as: educational level, cultural practices and hostile treatment of health personnel towards the Chachis. Conclusions: there is an inadequate immunization process in the indigenous community of Chachis due to socio-cultural factors. Due to this, the mentioned community is not prepared to face preventable infectious diseases. DeCS: IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE; IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS; INDIGENOUS POPULATION (PUBLIC HEALTH); COMMUNICABLE DISEASES; CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS.