Factors Influencing Missed Opportunities in Infant Vaccination Among Children Aged 0-23 Months Within the Hohoe Municipality in The Volta Region, Ghana: A Facility-Based Study

Abstract

David Mensah Otoo, Seth Yao Ahiabor and Dickson Abdul-Wahab

Background Immunization is a vital public health strategy to enhance child survival by addressing significant diseases that cause child mortality. Annually, over 31 million children under five in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by vaccine-preventable conditions, with more than half a million dying due to lack of access to necessary vaccines. This study explored the factors contributing to Missed Opportunities for Vaccination (MOV) among caregivers of children aged 0-23 months in the Hohoe municipality.

Methods The study employed a cross-sectional design. Structured questionnaires were administered to caregivers of children aged 0-23 months in selected health facilities in the Hohoe municipality. Three hundred seventy-eight caregivers aged 18 years and above participated in the study.

Results The prevalence of MOV was found to be 22.2%. Factors predicting MOV included respondent’s age, marital status, parity status, knowledge and attitude. Younger mothers were more likely to have missed opportunities in infant vaccination [aOR=0.20(0.09,0.43) p<0.001]. Being unmarried and having a large family size also contributed to missed opportunities in infant vaccination [aOR=2.0(1.12,3.44) p= 0.019] and [aOR=5.80(2.67,12.6) p=<0.001] respectively.

Conclusion MOV is prevalent in many settings and hinders immunization coverage. Age, number of children and family size were found predictors inhibiting infant vaccination. Furthermore, caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes were associated with missed opportunities for vaccination, indicating a need for strategies to enhance their understanding and combat missed opportunities in the Hohoe municipality.

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