Abstract:
Background: Expanded Program on Immunization is one of the most cost effective intervention to reduce infant and childhood morbidity and mortality from vaccine preventable diseases. However left-out and dropouts from the routine immunization pose a serious problem especially in developing countries where there is poor infrastructure and weak health system.
Objective: The overall objective of this study was to measure the magnitude of defaulters from routine immunization service and determine socio-demographic factors associated with left-out in pastoralist and agrarian communities.
Method: Secondary data analysis of the 2016 Coverage and Sero Survey was conducted. A total of 865 caregiver’s of children age 12-23 months living in the three Woredas during the Survey were included. Prevalence of left-out and dropout were calculated with SPSS version 20. Additionally, to see the relationship between dependent and independent variables bivariate analysis was done. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was also carried out to identify the most significant predictors for left-out and to control possible effect of confounding.
Result: In Assaieta children left-out and drop out from routine immunization were 25.4% and 6.3% respectively, and that of Arbegona were 8.5% and 5.1%. For Hintalo Wojerate left-out was 0 and dropout was 0.7%. Region, caregiver’s education, caregiver’s occupation and knowing about child vaccination were found to be the predicators for left-out from routine immunization service.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Region, caregiver’s education, caregiver’s occupation and know about child vaccination were significant predictors for left-out from routine immunization service. Increase employment opportunity and educational level of caregiver’s and educate caregiver’s about child vaccination are the major recommendations to reduce left-out.
.......................................... Thesis available at ACIPH Library