Health facility related factors affecting completion of immunization schedules for children under five years at St. Josephine Bakhita health centre ii, Lwengo district.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70572/agp.v3i6.116Keywords:
immunization dates, completion of immunization schedules, waiting times, unfriendly nursesAbstract
Background
The study aimed to identify the health facility-related factors affecting completion of immunization schedules for children under five years at St. Josephine Bakhita Health Centre II, Lwengo District.
Methodology
The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design with both quantitative and qualitative methods at St. Josephine Bakhita Health Centre II in Lwengo District, Uganda. Thirty caregivers of children under five attending postnatal immunization services were selected through convenience sampling over three days. Data were collected using researcher-administered questionnaires and analyzed using Epidata and SPSS v17. The dependent variable was immunization completion, with caregiver, socioeconomic, and facility factors as independent variables. Ethical approval, informed consent, and confidentiality were ensured.
Results
Most participants had primary education (67%), while 30% had secondary education, and farming was the main occupation (70%). In terms of access, 63% traveled 5-10 km to reach the health facility. Facility-related challenges were significant: 83% reported not always finding health workers present, 70% found the clinic sometimes closed, and 67% described nurses as unfriendly. Additionally, 83% were not reminded of the next immunization date, and 67% did not clearly understand the instructions provided. Waiting times were long, with 53% waiting more than two hours to be served. Despite these difficulties, 60% rated the services as somewhat good and 33% as very good.
Conclusion
Long distances, absent or late health workers, closed clinics, unfriendly nurses, and a lack of reminders contributed to incomplete immunization among children under five.
Recommendation
Health workers should use positive reinforcement, and authorities should provide staff housing to reduce lateness and improve immunization service delivery.
References
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