Association between Maternal Education and Child Immunization among Married Women in Kenya: Findings from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 2008-09

Elijah Onsomu, Winston-Salem State University
Benta A. Abuya, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
DaKysha Moore, Johnson C. Smith University

In 2008-09, child mortality rate dropped to 74/1000 from 115/1000 in 2003. Infant mortality rate dropped to 52/1000 from 77/1000 in the same period in Kenya representing a decline of 36% and 32% respectively (CBS, 2004; KNBS & ICF Macro, 2010). Retrospective cross-sectional data for married women aged 15-49 (n=3,233) responding to vaccination questions in 2008-09 KDHS were used. Stata version 10.1 was used for analyses, p<0.05. Seventy percent, 66%, 93%, and 75% women indicated that their children had received immunization for Poliomyelitis, Measles, Bacille Calmette-Guérin, and Disambiguation respectively. After adjusting for confounding, women with primary and secondary education were 1.68 times, p<0.05 and 2.25 times, p<0.01 more likely to immunize their children for Poliomyelitis compared to those who had less than a primary education. Education among married women is crucial in ensuring good health outcomes among children. Integration of immunization knowledge with maternal and child health services is imperative.