Pneumococcal Immunisation Coverage Among Infants Between 4-12 Months in Nyamira County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia is the leading killer among all infectious diseases worldwide. Though treatable, it often results in high mortality and morbidity therefore putting pressure on available health resources. The best intervention for pneumonia is prevention through vaccination.

Objective. To determine pneumococcal vaccine coverage among infants between 4-12 months in Nyamira County

Methods: A cross sectional design was used in this study. Using questionnaires. Caregivers were interviewed and a checklist was used to review the vaccination records. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

Results: The results indicated that coverage of 82.5% for PCV 10 vaccine is below the recommended 90%. Caregivers were predominantly female, 97% and in informal employment. Among the demographic factors of the cohort, level of education was found to be statistically significant with p values of 0.029 as calculated using Fischer’s Exact. Care Givers were asked whether they had other children that were below 5 years so as to determine whether their previous experience with their children made any impact on the vaccine coverage. This demographic factor was also found to be significant with a P value of 0.019 as calculated using Chi Square.  and the number of other children Caregivers had (besides the infant being studied) that were below 5 years were found to and respectively.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Coverage of pneumococcal vaccine in Borabu Sub-County, Nyamira County was (82.5%), still below the internationally recommended target of 90%. Uptake of PCV 10 vaccine was found to be influenced by Knowledge about the PCV 10 vaccine, level of education of Caregivers and the age of children that Caregivers had who were below 5 years. The coverage of PCV 10 vaccine in Borabu Sub County in Nyamira County can be enhanced by increasing knowledge of Caregivers on PCV 10 vaccine and by increasing compliance to the vaccination schedule. This can be done through various channels such as use of mobile phone-based reminders and community sensitization campaigns. A study can be done to identify effective interventions for delivering health education about pneumococcal vaccine in rural populations. In addition, interventional studies may be done to test effectiveness of reminder systems on immunization uptake.

Keywords: uptake, coverage, PCV 10, pneumococcal vaccine.

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-22-01

Publication date: November 30^th 2020