SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING IMMUNIZATION OF CHILDREN IN RURAL ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The role of adequate and timely immunization in the reduction of infant and childhood mortality cannot be overstated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study, anchored in the Health Belief Model and Rational Choice Theory, investigated the sociocultural factors influencing childhood immunization in the rural state of Abia, Nigeria, an area with a high infant mortality rate. A multistage sampling technique involving the random selection of 3 communities in Bende Local Government Area and the purposive selection of 433 respondents with children under the age of 5 was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 respondents — 3 health personnel, 3 traditional birth attendants, 4 community leaders (2 men and 2 women), 2 church representatives, and the head of the health department in the local government headquarters. Findings reveal that the majority of respondents had heard about childhood immunization and largely understood its essence. Religious beliefs and the mother’s economic activities (especially when market day coincides with immunization day) were identified as major influences on immunization. More attention should be directed to providing adequate education for rural dwellers on the importance of immunization for childhood mortality reduction.