Evaluation of immunization coverage among 0 to 24 month old children in Dzimauli Village, Vhembe District, South South

Abstract

Background: Children under-five years old are at increased risk of fatal acute infectious diseases. Immunization has proven to be an effective public health intervention strategy that provides the necessary immunity against children's fatal acute infectious diseases, leading to significant reduction in morbidity and mortality in children. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the immunization coverage amongst O to 24 month old children in Dzimauli Village. Methods: The study employed a quantitative approach, using the cross-sectional descriptive survey design to review the immunization data collected by the Mal-ed research project. The sample included 242 records of children born between 2009 and 2013. Vaccination status was ascertained by secondary analysis of Mal-ed data and z review of the Road to Health Card/ Booklets. Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 were used to analyse the data. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Venda ethics committee and permission to use the Mal-ed data was granted by the Mal-ed principal investigator. The data was presented descriptively using tables. Results: The results revealed that 72% of the children received their required vaccination doses. The dropout rate was 37% and factors influencing lack of vaccination and untimely vaccination were Obstacles, 40%, Lake of information, 31%, and Lack of motivation, 29%. Conclusion: The study concludes that immunization coverage in Dzimauli village is lower than the targets set by WHO and UNICEF which is at least 90% vaccination coverage by 2015, and dropout rate is higher than the accepted rate of 10%. Under 24 months old children should be registered and be monitored to make sure they get all vaccines on time.