Determinants of Full Child Immunization among 12-23 Months Old in Nigeria

Funmi Adebiyi, University of the Witwatersrand

Childhood immunization is considered important for improving child survival, most morbidity and mortality in children are due to vaccine preventable diseases. Globally, immunization coverage has increased during the past decade, but in African Regions including Nigeria, the coverage is still unacceptably low.The study used the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey children’s data. A total of 4,520 children aged between 12-23 months delivered by 4,520 women aged 15-49 years formed the analysis sample. The dependent variable was full child immunization constructed from a number of variables on uptake of the various WHO recommended immunizations (coded 0 – No and 1 – Yes). Binary logistic regression model was used to identify the critical determinants of full child immunization status.Results show that about 22% of the children received full immunization.In conclusion, Full child immunization coverage is low but had increased in Nigeria.