Abstract
Immunization is the key strategy to curb communicable diseases which are the number one killer of children under five. Immunization prevents mortalities of approximating three million children under five annually. This study aimed to assess utilization of immunization services among children under five of age in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
Description
The study concludes that the level of utilization of immunization services for performance antigens was low below the recommended target by World Health Organization (WHO) in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Social demographic factors that facilitate utilization of immunization services are high level of education, while formal employment, income levels, and age are barriers to immunization utilization. Family factors identified as barriers include myths and misconceptions, vaccine side effects, parity, and lack of information.
Delaying or refusing some or all the immunizations puts a child’s life and health at risk of contracting Vaccine Preventable Diseases. The County health management team should therefore ensure health workers give health education to the community emphasizing on benefits of immunization and the need to adhere and complete the National Child Immunization schedule. It should also intensify door to door campaign strategies to trace and vaccinate defaulters of immunization. The County management team to ensure health promotion officers engage with community leaders to address family concerns such a lack of information, side effects, effects on parity, demystify myths and misconceptions and equip the public with proper information to help deal with these issues and probably improve utilization of services
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