TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Routine Immunization in the Northeast of Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Amina Baba Kuchichi, Mohammed Tahiru Bolori, Fati Lawan Bukar, Falmata Mukhtar, Aisha Aliyu Abulfathi, Yerima Baba Kucici, Mohammed Yusuf Argungu, Mohammed Ali Mechanic, Umar Lawal Yusuf, Grace Okafor, Waziri Ahmed Gazali
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Attitude, Routine Immunization, Northeast, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.7,
July
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The required immunization coverage of at least 90.0% has not been achieved in most parts of Nigeria. The routine immunization [RI] knowledge, attitude, and practice of mothers towards achieving the recommended coverage for all the vaccines have remained poor in Nigeria, especially in the northern part leading to high morbidity and mortality of children below the age of five years. There were suggestions that a lack of knowledge of the benefits of childhood routine immunization resulted in poor judgments, wrong decisions and actions. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers on RI in northeastern Nigeria. Method: The study design was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection [mixed-method]. Results: About 92.5% of the respondents heard about routine immunization mainly through health workers [88.3%] and media [65.7%]. The in-depth interview clarified that all of them knew what RI was referring to. Many [63.3%] of the respondents knew that RI begins immediately after childbirth. Slightly above half of the respondents knew that RI prevents polio [61.3%], tuberculosis [54.3%] and meningitis [53.3%], and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The majority of the respondents thought RI was effective and were satisfied [87.8%] with it. However, only about 56.5% thought RI leads to side effects and fewer [11.8%] thought that the RI was aimed at causing sickness to children. About 62.8% of the respondents had their children fully immunized with evidence. Others had their children either partially immunized [9.5%] or not immunized [13.5%]. The rest [14.2%] did not know the immunization status of their children. Conclusion: The gaps in the knowledge, attitude and practice among the respondents remain worrisome and was thought to have contributed to low RI coverage which needs to be addressed. Recommendations: Government and the relevant stakeholders should enhance positive modification of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding RI through health education especially through the health workers and the media.