Immunization against childhood vaccine preventable diseases is an important public health intervention that
averts an estimated 2-3 million deaths annually. Despite its importance, immunization coverage rates in
Nigeria have remained poor irrespective of numerous strategies formulated to improve coverage. This study
was designed to determine the immunization coverage rates in urban and rural populations and their
determinants.
METHODOLOGY:
This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Ideato North Local Government Area (LGA) and
Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, Nigeria between August, 2013 and June, 2017. Ideato
LGA represented the rural community while Owerri Municipal Council represented the urban community.
Data was collected by the use of a pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaire and documentation of
findings from the immunization cards. The sample size was 500 mothers/care-givers who were randomly
selected.
Bivariate analysis was used to assess factors that were associated with full immunization coverage while the
level of significance was set at p ≤0.05.
RESULTS:
The result showed that 81.1% of the children in the urban area were fully immunized whereas only 18.9% of
those from the rural community were fully immunized. Maternal age, methods of data cataloging, place of
residence, socio-economic class and maternal health care utilization were observed as factors positively
associated with full immunization coverage.
CONCLUSION:
The immunization coverage of infants in the rural community was abysmally poor. Efforts should be made at
improving immunization coverage in the rural areas of Imo state.