Immunization in Kenya

Abstract

This thesis highlights the levels of immunization coverage by antigen in three provinces of Kenya namely: Central, Coast and Western, using the 1989 Kenya Demographic and Health survey. The survey was conducted by the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the Institute of Research Development (IRD). The main objective of the study was to determine the levels of immunization for each antigen, namely BCG, DPTl,2 and 3; Polio 1, 2 and 3; and Measles. The study was also to some extent, to find out some of the social economic, demographic and cultural factors that could have influenced the levels of immunization in the three study areas. The variables that were considered were education, age, religion, type of place of residence (urban/rural), current work status and the marital status of the mother. The two main methods of data analysis that were used were cross tabulations and logistic regression. The major findings of the study were that, children whose mothers had primary education and above had the highest chances of being - immunized than those children whose mothers had no education. Central province had the highest coverage of immunised children for most of the antigens received as follows: BCG (96%); DPT (97%); Polio 2 (95%); Polio 3 (91 %); Measles (63%). Coast and western province had varied immunization levels received against mothers education: Coast had BCG (93%), DPT 1 (94%), DPT 2 (89%); DPT 3 (83%); Polio 1 (95%); Polio 2 (88%); Polio 3 (89%); Measles (63%). Western Kenya had: BCG (93%); DPT 1 (93 %); DPT 2 (83%); DPT 3 (68%); Polio 1 (92%); Polio 2 (79%); (Polio 3 (66%); Measles (45%). - v The age of the mother on the other hand was a determining factor for increased immunization levels according to results from cross-tabulations. Mothers whose ages ranged between 20-39 years had the highest numbers of children who had received most of the vaccinations compared to mothers whose ages ranged between 15-19 years. Central province had the highest children immunized based upon the age levels of the mothers as follows: BCG (95%); DPT 1 (97%); DPT 2 (93%); DPT 3 (85%); Polio 1 (96%); Polio 2 (96%); Polio 3 (91 %); Measles (63%). Western and cost province showed a fluctuating levels of immunization of children based on the ages of the mothers. Coast had: BCG (93%); DPT 1 (93%); DPT 2 (89%); DPT 3 (83%); Polio 1 (95%); Polio 2 (88%); Polio 3 (89%); Measles (54%). Western Kenya had: BCG (94%); DPT 1 (96%); DPT 2 (79%); DPT 3 (68%); Polio 1 (93%); Polio 2 (79%); Polio 3 (66.5%); Measles (45%). In summary, immunization coverage for BCG was recorded as the highest with Central province leading (96 %), followed by Coast (93 %) and Western Kenya (93 %). Measles coverage was the least covered with Western Kenya recording the lowest (45%), followed by Coast (63%) and Central (63%). This study therefore recommends that intensive mass immunization campaign should be undertaken by both the government and non governmental organizations concerned with primary health to raise levels of immunized children and at the same time create awareness for the need to have children immunized. A special measles antigen campaign should be considered as measles was the least covered in the three areas of study.