FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEMAND FOR ROUTINE AND SUPPLEMENTARY ORAL POLIO VACCINE AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Eradication of poliomyelitis in Nigeria has been of a serious public health concern for many years. However, target dates have repeatedly been pushed back and, at present, transmission of wild poliovirus remains endemic in Nigeria especially the northern part of the country. Consequently, there is susceptibility of the southern part of the country to the virus through importation by migrants and travelers from the high risk states. The study was therefore designed to investigate the factors influencing the demand for routine and supplementary oral polio vaccines among mothers of under-five in Ibadan-North Local Government Area of Oyo State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed using a multi-staged random sampling technique to select 421 mothers of under-five children in Ibadan-North LGA. The semi-structured questionnaire used for data collection included: 22-point knowledge, 13-point perception, 10-point attitude scales. Questions on the general knowledge of polio immunisation, perception, attitude towards Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), uptake of routine and supplementary OPV, and the factors influencing the demand for OPV were developed. Knowledge score of < 11 and ≥ 11 were rated poor and good respectively. Perception score of < 7 and ≥ 7 were rated as unfavourable and favourable respectively. Attitude score of <6 and ≥ 6 were rated as negative and positive respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency and chi-square test α 0.05, respectively. Respondents’ age was 27.5± 10.5. Majority of the respondents were from Yoruba ethnic group (74.5%), married (75.3%), Muslims (63.7%), and had completed secondary school education (41.8%). General knowledge of polio immunisation was 1.6±0.5. Majority of the respondents (85.3%) and (61.5%) had assessed routine and supplementary OPV respectively. Majority (63.4%) had poor knowledge of polio immunisation, while (36.6%) had good knowledge. Perception score of respondents was 1.3±0.5. Those with favourable and unfavourable perception were 67.5% and 32.5% respectively. Attitude score of respondents was 1.4±0.5. Those with positive and negative attitudes were 60.8% and 39.2% respectively. Greater proportion of the respondents reported: Benefits of visiting hospital (18.8%) as a promotive factor to the uptake of routine OPV; Financial incapacitation (28.2%) as a constraining factor to the uptake of routine OPV; Free vaccine access (35.1%) as a promotive factor to the uptake of supplementary OPV; and Fear of vaccine fakeness

(17.2%) as a constraining factor to the uptake of supplementary OPV. There were significant differences between knowledge of respondents and perceived severity to polio; age of the mothers and perceived susceptibility of the child; and fear of adverse reaction and uptake of OPV. However, there was no significant difference between uptake of routine OPV and uptake of supplementary OPV. The general knowledge of polio immunisation was poor among the mothers of under-five children in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo state. However, their perception and attitudes towards polio immunisation were majorly favourable and positive respectively. Health promotion strategies such as enhancement of social mobilisation, advocacy, and public enlightenment were recommended to address the issue.