Factors contributing to low tetanus toxoid immunization coverage among women of child bearing age in Luanshya district.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to low TT immunization coverage among women of child bearing age in Luanshya District. The major hypothesis for this study was that "there is a relationship among staff attitude, staffing levels, Community sensitization availability of vaccines, distance, beliefs/myths, and low TT immunization coverage among women of child bearing age". A descriptive, non intervention, cross sectional study design was used to determine the factors contributing to low TT immunization coverage among women of childbearing age (15- 49years). A total of fifty (50) respondents were interviewed of which 40 were women of childbearing age (15 - 49 years) and 10 were Nurses. Data was collected using a structured interview schedule and a self administered questionnaire from the first week of November, 2010 to first week of December, 2010. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. The study revealed that all the Nurses 10 (100%) indicated that staffing is not adequate to carry out TT immunization services. Further the findings show that 6 Nurses indicated that health education is not always given to the women on TT immunization due to lack of qualified staff. The district should find alternative ways of paying lunch allowance to outreach Nurses so that the sessions can be conducted in the morning and afternoon. This will increase on the number of hours spent at outreach posts to enable them capture more women. Nurses should supervise community volunteers when giving IEC to the women during outreach sessions to ensure delivery of proper and standardized information.