An Assessment Of The Measles Immunisation Status And Management In Engela District, Ohangwena Region

ABSTRACT

Immunisation is one of the most cost effective public health interventions that provide protection against infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the measles immunisation status and vaccine management in the Engela district. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a proportionate and systematic sampling technique. A structured administered interview to participants, supplemented with an observational checklist to assess measles coverage, vaccine and cold chain management. The data was analysed using Epi Info.7 software and setting p-values of 0.05 for statistical significance. A total of 162 parents/caregivers of the children aged between 9-59 months were interviewed and 17 public health facilities were assessed. The median age of children was 24.5 months and 88 (54.3%) were males. The majority of children 155 (95.7%) had been vaccinated against measles, with a 95% confidence interval of (91.3% - 98.3%). More unvaccinated children were diagnosed with measles compared to the vaccinated (28.6% vs 6.5%, p=0.029), and this could be attributed to vaccine failure or improper management of vaccines and the cold chain. Receiving information on immunization was associated with vaccination (p = 0.0001).