Determinants of full immunization coverage and reasons for its failure for children in Bida Emirate Area, Niger state, Nigeria

Recent survey conducted in Nigeria in 2013 reported that complete immunization coverage for Nigerian children is 25%. This is quite low despite the huge resources being committed and thus raises concerns to identify the factors that may be responsible. The study aim to determine the immunization status of children aged 12 – 24 months in Bida Emirate Area (BEA) of Niger state, the determining factors and reasons for immunization failure. Chi square was used to determine the relationship between selected mothers, fathers and children variables with full immunization status. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the likelihood effects of the selected factors on immunization status. Complete Immunization (CI) coverage for BEA was 29.86%, while, 48.42% were partially immunized (PI) and 21.72% had never been immunized at all, and 31.99% do not possess immunization card. ‘Mother too busy’ (19.83%), fear of side effect and not aware of the need for immunization were the most frequent reasons for failure to immunize children. The immunization status in BEA is very low compare with WHO expectation of 80% as at 2010. It is important to consider those socioeconomic and demographic variables that account for variations in immunization status if considerable improvement in immunization in BEA is to be achieved.