DETERMINANTS OF INCOMPLETE VACCINATION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 12-23 MONTHS IN NAEDIER WOREDA, CENTRAL ZONE, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA, 2024/2025 COMMUNITY BASED UNMATCHED CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is among the most cost-effective health interventions and has been responsible for substantial reductions in mortality and morbidity, especially for those under five. Globally, around 67 million children are only partially immunized. Neglecting to protect children from vaccination can lead to severe outcomes such as permanent disability, child mortality, and vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. In Africa, an estimated 12.7 million children, 1.4 million children in Ethiopia and 41% of children in Tigray are partially immunized. The reasons behind these incomplete vaccinations haven't been extensively studied. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants of incomplete vaccination among children aged 12-23 months in Naedier Woreda, Central Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2024 /2025 Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study design was implemented with a total sample size of 294 among children aged 12 to 23 months in Naedier Woreda, Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia, from August to October 2024. A participant was selected from 12 Kebeles by a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected from mothers/caregivers using a pretested, structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Info 7 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27. Multicollinearity was checked using the variance inflation factor, and the model of fitness was checked by Hosmer Lemeshow. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control confounding variables at the p-value < 0.05, and the strength of the statistical association was measured by using adjusted odds ratios and ` 95% confidence intervals. Result: This study revealed that children born to mothers/caregivers who did not receive antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.23-17.1), households not visited by health workers (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.23-5.17), mothers/caregivers who were not informed about the types of vaccines received (AOR = 3.209, 95% CI: 1.29-8.0), were not informed about potential side effects of vaccines (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.36-6.31), and were not given information about the next vaccination date (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.8-7.42) were the determinants to default on completing their vaccination. Conclusions and Recommendations: From this study, suggested several determinants contributing to children aged 12-23 months failing to complete their full vaccination schedule are no antenatal care follow-up, absence of home visits by healthcare workers, and no information on vaccinations, including potential side effects and subsequent vaccination schedules. To address those factors, health offices and healthcare workers should prioritize providing detailed information about the specific vaccines administered, including expected side effects and the timing of future vaccinations, and reinforce the importance of consistent antenatal care for both maternal and child health.