Trends/patterns relating to low expanded programme of immunisation coverage among children under five years at selected health facilities in the Outapi health district, Omusati Region
Loading...
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Low immunisation coverage of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) services in children under five years of age has been a problem worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defined low coverage of immunisation as all immunisation below 80 per health district. Countries all over the world are experiencing difficulty achieving the WHO recommended 80 immunisation coverage per district. Since 1990, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in Namibia has adopted the implementation of Primary Health Care (PHC) for basic health care delivery. EPI services were launched within the Directorate of PHC. The main aim of immunisation services is to reduce the infant morbidity and mortality rate in children under-five years of age. The infant mortality rate is an important indicator of health services delivery in every nation. Immunisation services are very important for children under five years of age and for women of childbearing age (15-49 years) to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases
In order to understand factors that negatively influence immunisation services in Outapi Health District, a descriptive exploratory design of the quantitative approach was used to answer the research question. The research question was posed to explore and describe trends/patterns relating to low immunisation coverage among children under-five years at selected health facilities in the Outapi Health District, Omusati Region. The study was conducted because no evidence or documentation about the coverage of immunisation in Outapi Health District existed at the time. Specific objectives of the study: To describe trends/patterns relating to low immunisation coverage in children under five years at specified health facilities in Outapi District; To ascertain the attitudes and perceptions of mothers and guardians about immunisation;To establish a profile of children in Outapi Health District who are likely to have incomplete immunisation schedules; and To recommend appropriate interventions to be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in order to improve immunisation coverage in Outapi in particular, and in Namibia in general. The study identified the following contributory factors: long distances to health facilities, poverty leading to inability to pay for transporting children for follow up immunisations, lack of available public transport and poor road infra-structure. The attitudes of mothers and guardians were ascertained by asking them closed-ended questions about immunisation. The researcher found that the community lacks information related to childhood immunisation. In conclusion, this study makes the following recommendations and suggestions: Training should be conducted for all health workers on EPI programmes in Outapi Health District. Construction of shelters for pregnant mothers at district hospitals could help prevent the need for home deliveries. Outreach points and health facilities should be expanded in the district. Immunisation campaigns and health education should be conducted to enhance community awareness about immunisation, and Collaboration among various sectors of the community should be strengthened
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for trhe Degree of Master of Public Health
Keywords
Immunization of children Namibia, Children health and hygiene Namibia