Factors affecting the utilization of routine immunization coverage of children under two years in Somalia: a case of Garowe town

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to interrogate the determinants of the utilization of routine immunization coverage for children under 2 years in Garowe town. The specific objectives of the study was to determine caregiver, interpersonal, health facility factors and policy factors affecting the utilization of routine immunization to children under Two years in Garowe town. A cross-sectional survey design was the most suitable for the study. The study also used both qualitative and quantitative data collected by interviewing mothers, guardians of the children under two years, service providers in selected health facilities, and community health workers. The selection of the sample was through probabilistic as well as nonprobabilistic methods. Before that, the sample size of 384 was determined by use of Fisher formula The data collection instruments were Semi-structured questionnaires, KII and FGDs. For data interpretation, quantitative data was analyzed through univariate methods, descriptive statistics, Chi-square (χ2) and regression methods. In addition, qualitative data were organized and summarized in line with the thematic areas; described, followed by thematic analysis.The findings confirmed that care giver factors such as demographic characteristics, knowledge of caregivers reduced utilization of routine immunization in Somalia. The results further showed that interpersonal factors and health facility factors had a positive and significant effect on utilization of routine immunization in Somalia. The study findings implied that lack of adequate policies in Somalia reduced effective utilization of routine immunization. The study concluded that utilization of the routine immunization in Garowe Town had improved since majority of the caregivers had taken their children for polio vaccines, BCG injection among others. The study concluded that a significant number of caregivers still leave their children unprotected by failing to observe the routine immunization despite being close to health facilities