Sources of information and immunization coverage in Bida Emirate area : a rural-urban comparative analysis

The WHO projected that complete vaccination coverage should reach at least 90% of children at the country level and 80% in sub-areas by the year 2010. In 2013 a national survey reported that the full immunization coverage for Nigerian children was 25%. This is quite low considering the huge financial resources committed into it and as such raises concerns to identify the factors that may be responsible. The aim of this study therefore is to identify the role of sources of information in the determination of immunization status/coverage of children aged 12 – 24 months in Bida Emirate Area (BEA) of Niger state. We used Chi Square to establish the effects of sources of information and Multiple Logistic analyses was used to determine the likelihood effects of these factors on full immunization status of children in Urban/Rural communities of BEA. The analysis revealed that household visits by officials of immunization, getting information on immunization before delivery, attendance to health education, attendance to village meetings and receiving information on immunization from mass media were all significantly associated with immunization status of the child both in rural and urban BEA. The study recommended more advocacies through the mass media, village meetings and religious centers. Also the use of Short Messaging Services (SMS) to remind mothers/care givers on immunization schedules especially those who delivered in the health facilities should be exploited.