Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

James Rohrer

Abstract

Full (complete) childhood immunization against tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, yellow fever, measles, and the maternal retention of immunization documentation are the most cost-effective interventions against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. The full childhood immunization rate in Nigeria has not reached the expected target level of compliance at 90%. Using the social ecological model, this study investigated the influence of maternal satisfaction with postnatal services and paternal support on full childhood immunization status; it also examined the association between maternal factors and the maternal retention of immunization documentation in Owerri, Nigeria. The hypotheses were that maternal satisfaction with postnatal services and paternal support were associated with full childhood immunization status. This study was a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design that included validated modified WHO/EPI-30 cluster immunization survey information from the cluster sample of 560 mothers of children between the ages of 12 and 23 months old. The multivariate logistic regression analysis (at the .05 level) indicated that the odds of full childhood immunization status were lower for participants who indicated no maternal satisfaction with postnatal services compared with those who indicated satisfaction with postnatal services. Public health workers and policymakers should invest more resources in maternal and child health care resources to increase maternal satisfaction with postnatal services. The study outcomes may help to evolve a system that may increase childhood immunization status and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases in Owerri, and serve as a model for other countries.

Download

Share

 
COinS