Completeness and timeliness of immunization among children aged 12 to 23 months in South-South Nigeria

Background: Completeness and timeliness of immunization ensures optimal immune response and protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed at assessing completeness and timeliness of immunization among children aged 12 to 23 months in Alakahia, Rivers State.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study amongst 440 children selected using cluster sampling technique. A validated structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) held with 14 purposively selected mothers of study participants using a topic guide. Descriptive statistics involved frequency and percentages for categorical, and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Inferential statistics was done using chi-square with p-value of < 0.05 accepted as significant. Thematic content analysis was done for the FsGDResults: Mean age of participants was 20 months (± 6 months). A total of 232 (52.7%) and 128 (29.1%) mothers had secondary and tertiary education, respectively. Coverage was highest for BCG 405 (92.1%) and lowest for measles and yellow fever vaccines 322 (73.2%). Out of 215 children whose cards were seen, 164 (76.3%) were completely immunized. Pentavalent-1 was the most timely immunization 267 (67.3%) while measles and yellow fever were the least-timely 130 (40.4%). Mother's education was a significant factor associated with timeliness (p<0.001). Lack of adequate knowledge about immunization and absence of social and economic resources emerged as major barriers.Conclusion: High immunization rates do not necessarily imply timeliness of vaccination. The researchers advocate for interventions improving access to information, maternal education and other identified barriers to immunization timeliness and completeness

Completeness and timeliness of immunization among children aged 12 to 23 months in South-South Nigeria

Background: Completeness and timeliness of immunization ensures optimal immune response and protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed at assessing completeness and timeliness of immunization among children aged 12 to 23 months in Alakahia, Rivers State. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study amongst 440 children selected using cluster sampling technique. A validated structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) held with 14 purposively selected mothers of study participants using a topic guide. Descriptive statistics involved frequency and percentages for categorical, and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Inferential statistics was done using chi-square with p-value of < 0.05 accepted as significant. Thematic content analysis was done for the FGDs. Results: Mean age of participants was 20 months (± 6 months). A total of 232 (52.7%) and 128 (29.1%) mothers had secondary and tertiary education, respectively. Coverage was highest for BCG 405 (92.1%) and lowest for measles and yellow fever vaccines 322 (73.2%). Out of 215 children whose cards were seen, 164 (76.3%) were completely immunized. Pentavalent-1 was the most timely immunization 267 (67.3%) while measles and yellow fever were the least-timely 130 (40.4%). Mother's education was a significant factor associated with timeliness (p<0.001). Lack of adequate knowledge about immunization and absence of social and economic resources emerged as major barriers. Conclusion: High immunization rates do not necessarily imply timeliness of vaccination. The researchers advocate for interventions improving access to information, maternal education and other identified barriers to immunization timeliness and completeness

Barriers to HIV Treatment Adherence: Findings from a Treatment Center in South-South, Nigeria.

Aims: Non-adherence to treatment represents a significant challenge to anti-retroviral treatment goals. This study aimed to identify and explore perceived barriers to adherence in non-adherent HIV patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Study Design: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of HAART experienced patients who had less than 95% adherence to their HAART medication. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between May and June 2011 at the Antiretroviral treatment center of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in the Southern part of Nigeria Methodology: Data collection was via quantitative and qualitative methods. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire adapted from the Adult Antiretroviral Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) study was used to identify barriers to adherence. In addition, four focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with 27 purposively selected participants. Quantitative data was analyzed with SPSS version 18, while the FGDs were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Ninety-six (96) patients, 39 (40.6%) males and 57 (59.4%) females with median age of 35.5 years participated in the study. Identified barriers to adherence included; being away from home during medication times 41 (42.7%), being busy with other things 35 (36.5%), forgetfulness 33 (34.4%), running out of pills 25 (26%), difficulty taking pills at specified times 25 (26.0%), the need to avoid side effects 16 (16.7%), and lack of a social support system 15 (15.6%). Barriers identified by the FGDs were fear of taking HIV drugs in front of others, sharing drugs with infected spouse, alcohol use, financial challenges, poor understanding about the effects of the drugs, forgetfulness, long clinic hours and poor attitude of health workers. Conclusion: Adherence counseling, use of reminder systems and treatment supporters are useful Public Health interventions for improving adherence and should be integrated into service delivery at this and other centers. In addition, better organization of the clinic, increasing staff strength and training will go a long way to address these barriers. Decentralization of HIV treatment centers to secondary and primary health facilities needs consideration.