IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA TEACHING HOSPITAL ITUKU-OZALLA, ENUGU

Abstract

Although there are several studies on the immunization status of
children in both developing and developed countries of the world, a dearth
of information continues to exist on the immunization status of children with
chronic neurological disorder (CND) who are particularly at risk of not being
immunized. This work was undertaken to assess the immunization rates of
children with CND seen at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital (UNTH)
Enugu and to determine the relationship between age, Socio economic class,
maternal education, nature of CND and immunization rate.
One hundred and sixty-eight mothers attending the Paediatric
Neurology Clinic (PNC) and 171 mothers attending the children outpatient
clinic (CHOP) in UNTH Enugu were interviewed using pretested
questionnaires. Informations on the immunization status of the child were
obtained from the immunization cards of the children. Comparison was made
between the immunization rates of children with CND and those without
CND.
The overall immunization rate of children with CNDs (68.5%) was
significantly lower than that of the controls (85.4%) (p= 0.001) and also
12 lower than the Universal child immunization target of 80%. However with
the exception of HBV coverage rate in the subjects, the coverage rates of all
the NPI vaccines both in the subjects and controls were higher than the UCI
target of 80%. There was a significant relationship between the mother’s
educational attainment and the immunization coverage of children with
CNDs (p=0.01). The type of CNDs significantly affected the immunization
coverage of these children (p=0.01). Other factors such as age, sex and
socio-economic class (SEC) did not significantly influence the immunization
coverage of children with CNDs.
Full Immunization for age of children with CNDs attending the UNTH is
low (68.5%). This may probably be true of other health institutions in the
country. Children with obvious neurological deficits whose mothers have low
educational attainment are at risk of low immunization coverage. In order to
achieve the Universal childhood immunizations target of 80.0%, it is
recommended that health care workers should assess the immunization
status of children with CND at every opportunity by taking a good
immunization history and examining the RTH card. Besides, women
education and empowerment should be encouraged as means of enhancing
the immunization coverage of these children.

IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA TEACHING HOSPITAL ITUKU-OZALLA, ENUGU