Magnitude And Associated Factors Of Delayed Immunization Among Children Aged11 -23 Months In Edagahamus Town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract Background Delay in receiving immunization is a major public health problem that has been associated with vaccine preventable disease epidemics. In Ethiopia, many children have not received the benefits of age appropriate immunization; thus more than 90% of child deaths are largely due to preventable communicable diseases. Therefore, assessment of magnitude and associated factors of delayed child immunization is essential to prevent morbidity and mortality among children. Objective To assess magnitude and factors associated with delayed immunization among 11 -23 months old children in Edagahamus Town, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018 G.C. Method and materials A community based Cross-Sectional study was carried out on July1-30, 2018. Simple random sampling method was used to select study participants. Information was collected using structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Vaccination dates were obtained from children immunization cards and timeliness assessed based on the recommended age ranges. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Variable with P-value < 0.2 in bivariatewere exported to multivariate. The strength of association was identified using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-value of <0.05 in multivariate was taken statistically significant. Results In this study the overall magnitude of delayed immunization was29.5%(95%CI 26.7-45). Private firm work of mothers(AOR=0.205 95% CI 0.068-0.617), sickness of the child(AOR= 11.8, 95% CI 6.16-22.65), Mothers who attend tertiary education (AOR 0.169, 95% CI 0.032-0.882) and secondary education (AOR 0.269, 95% CI 0.114-0.636) were significantly associated with delayed immunization. Conclusion From the study it is concluded that the magnitude of delayed immunization for children aged 12-23 months is high (29.5%) in Edagahamus. Delayed immunizations of children were predicted by Mother’s occupation, education and experience of illness of the child.