Maternal Characteristics and Reported Full Immunization Status of Children Under Five Years in Nursery Schools in Owerri Municipality, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Childhood immunization remains one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, completion of recommended childhood vaccination schedules may vary according to maternal and household characteristics. This study examined the reported pattern of full immunization among children under five years in relation to maternal age and educational attainment in nursery schools in Owerri Municipality, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study population comprised 9,713 mothers whose children were enrolled in nursery schools in Owerri Municipality. A sample of 398 mothers was selected using a clustered sampling approach. Data were collected using a researcher-developed Maternal Factors on the Immunization Status of Under-5 Nursery Children Questionnaire (MFISUNCQ), which had a reported reliability coefficient of 0.84. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation, with a criterion mean of 2.50. Mothers aged 21–25, 26–30, 31–35 and 36–40 years recorded mean scores of 2.79, 2.85, 2.85 and 2.85, respectively, whereas mothers aged 41–45 years recorded a mean of 1.73. The overall mean was 2.61. Regarding educational attainment, mothers with first-degree, postgraduate diploma, master's and doctoral qualifications recorded mean scores of 3.33, 2.98, 3.03 and 2.67, respectively, while those with O-level education recorded a mean of 1.66. The overall mean was 2.73. The findings indicate generally favourable reported patterns of full immunization among mothers aged 21–40 years and among mothers with higher educational attainment. Immunization programmes should strengthen targeted health education and follow-up for mothers who may experience informational or access-related barriers to completing childhood vaccination schedules.