Immunization is one of the safest and most effective interventions to prevent disease and early child death. 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 immunization. A substantial number of children worldwide do not complete immunization schedules because neither health services nor conventional communication mechanisms regularly reach their communities. Separate studies in Australia and Papua New Guinea have shown that knowledge gaps underlie low compliance with vaccination schedules. 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 followed. 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 compliance. Up-to-date, complete, and scientifically valid information about vaccines can help parents to make informed decisions.
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 polio.
Objectives
1. To assess the knowledge, perception, and practices of mothers/ caregivers on vaccine preventable diseases in children aged 12-23 months in Kaduna State, Nigeria
2. To determine the immunization coverages in Kaduna State, Nigeria
3. To determine the sources of information on routine immunization among mothers/caregivers of children aged 12-23months in the study area