Modelling the determinants of uptake of complete immunization of children in Ghana

Immunization remains a vital public health initiative for children since it reduces the risk of morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. The study sought to model the determinants of uptake of complete immunization among children in Ghana using data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). The study used a sample of 4,961 women with children under 5 years and employed Poisson regression, and Negative Binomial models. Results from the study showed that about 51.28% of the children had completely received all the childhood vaccines but 3.79% of the children had never received any of the vaccines in the country. The study found that Negative Binomial regression was the best-fitted model for modelling complete immunization of children under 5 years in Ghana. Respondents who have primary and secondary education were 3.20% and 4.00% times more likely to completely immunize their children as compared to those with no education. Respondents who are currently working are 7.20% more likely to completely immunize children as compared to those not currently working (IRR = 1.072; 95% CI: 1.042, 1.104). Women who have been exposed to mass media were 3.50% more likely to completely immunize their children as compared to those not exposed to mass media (IRR = 1.035; 95% CI: 1.000, 1.071). Women who made 8 or more number of ANC visits were 5.30% more likely to have children completely immunized compared to those made 1-3 ANC visits. We therefore encourage the use of mass media to educate women on the need to ensure complete immunization of their children. The study also recommends that women should be encouraged to improve their ANC visits (8 or more) to be fully made aware of childcare-related issues, such as the significance of immunizing children completely.