Factors Influencing Child Immunization in Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi District, Western Uganda
Globally, approximately 50% of mortality in children under five years of age results from diseasesthat are preventable and treatable if simple and affordable interventions like a vaccine areutilized. This study aimed at ascertaining the level of child immunization and factors influencingchild immunization in Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi district. A community based cross sectionaldescriptive and analytic study was conducted. Quantitative data collection methods wereemployed to collect data from 400 eligible study participants. Simple random sampling techniquewas used to select the participants. Pretested closed ended questionnaires were used to collectthe necessary data which was later entered in epi data, exported to STATA 12.0 and analyzed.The percentage of children that were fully immunized was found to be 56.75%. Comparing theimmunization coverage of children between ages 12-23 months in Ishaka municipality, Bushenyidistrict with that of UDHS 2016, the percent of children fully vaccinated is lower by 0.25%. Thesignificant parent/caretaker factors influencing child immunization were maternal education,maternal age, and maternal occupation. The maternal health care utilization factors include;Antenatal Care attendance, distance to health facility, possession of immunization card anddelivery at the health facility. The result of this study has clearly indicated that mothers in Ishakamunicipality have improved on taking their children for immunization. This suggests thatimmunization uptake in the western Uganda has improved compared to previous reports.