Perceived Factors Associated with Measles of Under-five Children among Reproductive Age Mothers in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated perceived factors associated with measles of under-five children among reproductive age mothers in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. The cross-sectional research design was utilized. The study population consisted of 51,655 reproductive age mothers (15 – 49years) in the study area. A sample of 400 reproductive age mothers was drawn using simple random and convenience sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean, standard deviation and One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analyses. Findings revealed that mothers agreed on all the listed perceived factors associated with measles of under-five children with a cluster ( = 3.49). Reproductive age mothers irrespective of their age agreed that all the listed items were the perceived factors associated with measles of under five children: 15 – 24 year ( = 3.53); 25 – 34 years ( = 3.49); 35 -44 years ( = 3.48); and those 45 years and above ( = 3.46). Also, mothers irrespective of their level of education agreed that the items were perceived factors associated with measles of under-five children: primary education ( = 3.48); secondary education ( = 3.44); and tertiary education ( = 3.51). Age was significantly associated with factors associated with measles of under-five children (p < .05) while level of education was not (p > .05). The authors recommend the need to ensure that preventive actions such as immunization, isolation of infected persons and exclusive breastfeeding should be regularly practiced 

The study investigated perceived factors associated with measles of under-five children among reproductive age mothers in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. The cross-sectional research design was utilized. The study population consisted of 51,655 reproductive age mothers (15 – 49years) in the study area. A sample of 400 reproductive age mothers was drawn using simple random and convenience sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean, standard deviation and One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analyses. Findings revealed that mothers agreed on all the listed perceived factors associated with measles of under-five children with a cluster ( = 3.49). Reproductive age mothers irrespective of their age agreed that all the listed items were the perceived factors associated with measles of under five children: 15 – 24 year ( = 3.53); 25 – 34 years ( = 3.49); 35 -44 years ( = 3.48); and those 45 years and above ( = 3.46). Also, mothers irrespective of their level of education agreed that the items were perceived factors associated with measles of under-five children: primary education ( = 3.48); secondary education ( = 3.44); and tertiary education ( = 3.51). Age was significantly associated with factors associated with measles of under-five children (p < .05) while level of education was not (p > .05). The authors recommend the need to ensure that preventive actions such as immunization, isolation of infected persons and exclusive breastfeeding should be regularly practiced.