Factors Influencing Childhood Immunization Among Infants in The Asuogyaman District in The Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Immunization is a crucial public health intervention that significantly reduces morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases among children less than one year of age. Despite progress in immunization coverage globally, disparities persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Ghana, the national immunization program has made notable strides; however, challenges remain in achieving universal coverage, especially in rural areas such as the Asuogyaman District. Objective: This study sought to determine the factors influencing childhood immunization among infants in the Asuogyaman District, Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study design was employed, targeting mothers and caregivers of children less than one year old residing in the Anum Boso Sub-District. The study used random sampling to select 307 participants. Data was collected through structured questionnaires which was administered using the Kobo Collect tool and analysed with the STATA 18.0. Results: Mothers demonstrated high (95.2%) knowledge of immunization schedules correctly, identifying one dose required for BCG vaccination and associating immunization with protection against polio and child growth. Awareness of measles vaccination aligned well with WHO guidelines, and the majority (94.6%) affirmed that missing vaccines could lead to disease outbreaks. Knowledge was particularly strong for vaccines administered at birth, such as BCG and OPV, reflecting trends seen in previous studies. Most participants accurately identified that three doses of the Pentavalent vaccine are necessary, with clear framing of terminology improving understanding. Regarding post-vaccination effects, fever was the most commonly recognized side effect, followed by rash, vomiting, and cough. Moreover, 77.3% of mothers knew polio vaccination typically starts at birth, supporting findings from other international studies. Overall, 32.5% of participants cited inconvenient immunization days while 28.3% reported long waiting times at clinics as some of the barriers to immunization uptake. Conclusion: By understanding the barriers to immunization uptake, this study provides valuable insights that could help reduce the percentage of incomplete immunization in the Asuogyaman District, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for children in the region.