Family factors associated with immunization uptake in children aged between twelve and fifty-nine months: a household survey in Kakamega Central district, Western Kenya

Abstract

In this study, we assessed immunization uptake and identified family factors associated with immunization in children aged between 12 and 59 months in Kakamega Central, Western Kenya. A cross sectional study was conducted in 13 sub-locations between June and July 2013. Data on 577 children were collected from their respective caregivers, by trained research assistants. The proportion of fully immunized children was 80.9% (95% confidence interval 76.9-85.3%). Immunization coverage was higher among caregivers who had completed secondary school (88%), those who had attended antenatal care clinics (81%) and children born in a health facility (85%). Some evidence was seen of increasing coverage with increasing socio-economic status. No evidence for a gender difference in coverage was seen. In the logistic regression model, the risk factors for incomplete immunization were: low educational level of the caregiver [adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=0.25; P<0.005], never attending any antenatal care (ANC) (AOR=0.14; P<0.05) and delivery outside of health facilities (AOR=0.40; P<0.005). Further inquiry is required into this area to fully comprehend the inextricable linkage between factors affecting immunization.

Keywords

• Immunization
• Vaccination
• Factors
• Kenya