Utilization of Routine Immunization of Children 0-11 Months in ABI Local Government Area, Cross River State

Abstract

The main focus of this study was the immunization coverage, examine immunization status, and determine vaccine default rate and non-immunized children for effective utilization of routine immunization services.  In order to successfully carry out the study, the following research questions were formulated to guide the study. What is the coverage rate of routine immunization among children 0 – 11 months in Abi Local Government Area? What is the immunizations status of children 0 – 11 months in Abi Local Government Area? What is the vaccine default rate among children 0 – 11 months in Abi Local Government Area? What are the reasons for non-immunized children 0 – 11 months in Abi Local Government Area? Literature, was reviewed based on the research variables, The research instrument used in collecting data for analysis was a questionnaire which was administered on one hundred and twenty (120) mothers in Abi local government area. Their responses were analysed using frequencies and percentage the following results were obtained. For sex 47(39.2%) of the subjects were males while 73(60.8%) were females.  Also their weights revealed that 23(19.2) weighed between 2 - 3kg, 32(26%) weighted between 7 – 9kg while the weight for 30(25%) of the subjects ranged between 10 – 11kg. The Immunization coverage in Abi Local Government Area from the months of January, February and March reveals that the coverage percent for penta3 were 41%, 26% and 33% respectively. The vaccines received by children 0 – 11 months showed that 109(90.8%) subjects received BCG vaccine, 80(66.7%) had received Opvo, 51(42.5%) had received HepBo, 101(84.2%) had received Opv1, while 63(53%) received Opv2 and 76(63.3%) had been given their Opv3.  Also 88(73.3%) subjects had received Penta1, 64(53.3%) subjects had received Penta2, 69(57.3%) had received Penta3, 45(37.5%) had received yellow fever while 57(47.5%) had received measles vaccines. Conclusively, the study has been able to show that utilization of routine immunization has had a positive effect on the health of children 0 – 11 months in Abi Local Government Area.