| dc.description.abstract | Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a
safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. In 2014, there were 114,900 measles
deaths globally which is about 314 deaths every day or 13 deaths every hour. In
Zambia, vaccination coverage among children aged 12 to 23 months has not changed
from 72% since 2007. There is a clear decline in the measles booster uptake which is a
serious public health concern posing a risk of measles outbreaks in the communities.
The main objective of the study was to determine factors that influence uptake of
measles booster vaccine among under five children in Lusaka district.
This study was a cross sectional study conducted in Lusaka urban district. Simple
random sampling method was used to select 383 respondents who participated in the
study. Following ethical approval from University of Zambia Biomedical Research
Ethics Committee (UNZABREC), data were collected from caretakers with children
aged between 18 months and 59 months using a semi structured interview schedules.
Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.
Chi-square test was used to test for associations between the dependent and
independent variables with a confidence interval set at 95%, and significant level of
0.05. Logistic regression analysis was also performed. The findings showed a low
uptake of vaccines (70%). Most respondents (75.5%) had medium knowledge levels
and 69.7% had negative attitudes towards uptake of vaccines. There was an
association found between the uptake of vaccines and the respondents’ level of
education (p value < 0.001), and between uptake of vaccine and service quality (p
value < 0.001).
The uptake of the MBV in Lusaka District is low. This is attributed to inadequate
knowledge on the importance of MBV among mothers and caretakers, negative
attitude of caretakers towards immunisation MBV. The study also revealed that there
was an association between uptake of MBV and the education level of
mothers/caretakers. In addition the uptake of MBV was significantly associated with
the quality of service.
It is therefore important to conduct similar studies in other settings to enable us
generalise the findings and also it would be important to conduct qualitative studies on
mothers/caretakers with a good uptake of MBV to assist in establishing the motivating
factors that helped them adopt a positive attitude towards immunisations and MBV.
Keywords: Booster vaccine, Factors, Measles, Under-five children, Uptake. | en |
