Determinants of Incomplete Childhood Vaccination Among Children Aged 12-23 Months in Gambela Region, Southwest Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

Background: Childhood vaccination is considered as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. With an increasing dropout rate from vaccination, the factors for incomplete vaccination are not well explored. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of incomplete childhood vaccination.

Method: Community based case-control study was conducted from March 1-30, 2018. Cases were children who missed at least one dose of routine vaccine while controls were children who completed all recommended doses. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Multivariable logistic regression was performed in order to identify determinants with 95% CI and a p-value of <0.05.

Result: A total of 93 cases and 185 controls were participated in the study. Not attending postnatal care [AOR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.08-4.28], household not visited by health workers [AOR=3.99, 95% CI: 2.13-7.48], postponing vaccination schedules [AOR = 6.15, 95% CI: 3.08-12.27], caretakers who had misconception of vaccination [AOR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.53-5.52], unsatisfied care takers [AOR=1.970, 95% CI:1.04-3.74] and poor knowledge about vaccines [AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.19-4.59] were determinants of incomplete childhood vaccination.

Conclusion: Failure to attend postnatal care, postponing vaccination schedules, having misconception for vaccine contraindication, households not visited by health workers, caretakers who had poor knowledge about vaccines and unsatisfied caretakers were determinants of incomplete childhood vaccination. Based on the finding, it is recommended that health education should be improved to decrease caretakers' misconception, poor knowledge and postponement of the vaccine schedule. It is also recommended to increase health workers household visit.