Project Materials

THE EFFECTS OF IMMUNIZATION AS IT AFFECTS CHILDREN HEALTH

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Among the most significant accomplishments in the field of public health, childhood vaccination stands tall. The World Health Organisation states that in 2011. Compared to years past, more children are getting vaccinated, and the rate of rise has been quite quick.

Two to three million lives are spared each year due to immunisations, according to the World Health Organisation (2013). As the eradication of smallpox in 1977 attests (Public Health Agency of Nigeria [PHAN], 20009), diseases that formerly afflicted millions of children across the globe are now completely gone.

The process of inoculation with a vaccine is known as childhood immunisation. Improving child survival is seen as a key importance. This is due to the fact that common and preventable childhood illnesses claim the lives of over 10 million children in underdeveloped nations annually due to a lack of access to effective interventions like immunisation (WHO, 2014).

Half of the children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not receive basic immunisation, even though approximately 75% of the world’s children receive the necessary immunisations. Additionally, just one out of twenty children in impoverished, rural parts of developing nations can get a vaccine (UNICEF, 2013).

One of the most cost-effective public health interventions is vaccine preventable disease (VPD) immunisation through the expanded program of immunisation (EPI) (UNICEF 2012).

This will help tremendously in reaching the Millennium Development Goal of halving the infant mortality rate from 1990 to 2015 (UNICEF 2012, World Bank, 2013).

In 1974, six vaccine-preventable diseases were established through the Extended Programme on Immunisation (EPI). Measles, polio, TB, pertussis, and tetanus are among these. About 27 million children were not vaccinated in 2003, when the global coverage of DPT3 was 78 percent.

The uninsured children were 9.9 million in South Asian countries and 9.6 million in sub-Saharan African countries. Inadequate health care infrastructure makes it difficult, if not impossible, for most of these nations to reach their vaccination goals (WHO, 2015).

Consequently, booster doses of vaccines, such as polio and measles, are not easily administered to children residing in border areas and other rural locations on national or subnational immunisation days.

Routine and outreach immunisation programs are in place in Nigeria. In Nigeria, children are vaccinated regularly beginning at birth and continuing until they reach the age of one, as per the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (WHO and UNICEF, 2013).

The following vaccines are given at birth: BCG and OPV0; at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, as well as measles at nine months; and at intervals of four weeks, pentavalent vaccines are given, protecting against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B disease (WHO, 2012).

With the exception of polio 1 (67% and 52% respectively), fewer than half of the youngsters have gotten all of the necessary immunisations (NPC, 2013). Additionally, compared to rural children, more than three times as many children in urban areas are fully vaccinated (25% vs. 7%, NPC, 2013).

Therefore, in order to improve the quality of life for these children, it is vital to examine the aspects related to whole child immunisation in Nigeria, specifically regarding the parents’ acceptance of the practice.

As a fundamental part of their professional conduct, health care providers must promote childhood vaccination and guarantee that the public receives correct information based on evidence (Plastow, 2012).

Children’s health-seeking behaviours and, by extension, their chances of survival, are heavily influenced by their parents’ socio-economic standing, especially their level of education and money (Becler et al., 2013).

In light of the foregoing, the researcher in this study had to settle on the topic of parents’ attitudes towards vaccination in public health facilities in the Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Statement Of The Problem

Immunisation is a powerful tool in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), which are a leading cause of illness and death in children. According to UNICEF (2007), Nigeria has one of the lowest vaccination coverage rates globally.

Less than one percent of children in Jigawa, fifteen percent in Yobe, sixteen percent in Zamfara, and eight point three percent in Katsina were fully vaccinated in 2008, according to the National Immunisation Schedule.

Additionally, as of 2008, just 23% of Nigerian children aged 12–23 months had gotten all of the recommended vaccines, which include one dose of BCG and measles, three doses of DPT and polio (NPC, 2008). Among Nigerian children, 38% had not received a vaccine, according to the same poll. Consequently, vaccine-preventable diseases are claiming the lives of thousands of youngsters.

Worldwide, Nigeria had one of the highest poliovirus case incidences in 2009 (WHO, 2010). The country’s routine immunisation coverage for polio and other vector-borne diseases fell short of targets (WHO Nigeria, 2010). The very low rates in Nigeria are due to a number of factors.

Child mortality and morbidity can be reduced if we can identify the factors influencing full child immunisation among 12-23 month olds in Nigeria. This is especially essential given the protective effects of immunisation and the observed low immunisation coverage in the country.

Purpose of the Research

To be more precise, the study’s goal is to:

1. Determine what factors contribute to the high rate of complete childhood vaccination in the Jaji community of the Igabi Local Government Area.

2. Find out how parents view vaccination acceptance.

3. Determine the approaches aimed at addressing vaccination concerns.

Research Question

When conducting research of this scale, research questions are crucial. Among them are:

1. In the Jaji community of the Igabi Local Government Area, what are the variables that contribute to the high rate of full childhood vaccination?

In the research area, how do parents see the acceptability of vaccination?

3. How can we address the challenges surrounding vaccination?

significance Of The Study

This study has the potential to influence the training and work of medical practitioners by providing evidence-based recommendations for how they should interact with parents on vaccination.

The health sectors in the Jaji community, Igabi Local Government Area, and the Government Hospitals and Clinics will reap the benefits of this project as it will improve and establish vaccination programs.

Children in the Jaji village in the Igabi Local Government Area will be protected from six deadly diseases thanks to the immunisation program that is available to families in the area through the government hospitals and clinics.

All of Nigeria, including the Jaji village, the Igabi Local Government Area, and government hospitals and clinics, will reap the rewards of these admirable goals.

Scope of the Study

The effects of vaccination on the health of children in the Jaji community of the Igabi Local Government Area were the focus of the scope.

Only parents and nurses in the designated study regions are allowed access.

The primary obstacles encountered by the researcher throughout the execution of this investigation were a lack of time and financial constraints.