CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND AREAS OF FURTHER STUDY

5.0      INTRODUCTION

The study aimed at establishing factors affecting completion of immunization schedule in Bweyogerere health centre III, wakiso district.

5.1 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

5.1 .1 Knowledge about immunization schedule

According to the findings in the study majority of the respondents asserts that they had basic knowledge regarding immunization schedule this is also in line with Blaikie, P.et al (2014), who states that Demographic studies of childhood immunization differences have often shown that house hood social-economic factors as an important factor in explaining different immunization levels among and within societies.

According to the results in the study majority of the respondents had finished secondary school education, this shows that most of the women in the study had basic information regarding the benefits of immunization; this is also in line with (Bhandari P, 2007) who states that Results of Multi logistic model explained that the women who were less empowered had less attention towards participation in full child immunization, the probabilities in three countries India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan was 0.664, 0.830 and 0.587.respectively.

The results in the study indicates that most of the respondents didn’t have a specific profession these results contradicts with the findings by (Bbaale E, 2013)  who stresses that Mother’s occupation and that of their partner are important in the attainment of full childhood immunization. While (Streefland PH, 2013)  further states that Children whose parents held white –collar jobs were more advantaged compared to those in agriculture, blue –collar jobs, and services /sales in general, the immunization coverage is lowest among poor populations and in peripheral areas mainly due to inability to afford transportation to bring the child to immunization clinics.

Similarly (Babirye JN, 2015). Further states that the major findings of a study conducted in Uganda showed that the supportive or non-supportive roles are major influences in the involvement or non-involvement of parents in childhood immunization similarly; reasons for unintentional missed vaccinations shown by a study were forgetting appointment, lack of time after mother return or having other children commitment.

The results in the study show that most of the respondents were Muslims and their percentage was 33.3%, Catholics were 30%, these findings were also in line with   (Thomas, 2013), who stresses that Religion and spirituality are integral components of socio-demographics(rural culture) and influence perceived vulnerability to infection and perceived severity to infection(Religious leader are highly esteemed ,and their authority can convince members of their congregation to accept or reject vaccination. While ( (RuijsWLM, 2013) further states that ,A WHO report from polio endemic region in Nigeria states that only a total of 16% children were adequately vaccinated  in the region , the main reason being that the community was predominantly of Muslim background and believed  that polio drops were used as a tool for causing sterility in the children and had been shunned by community leaders. This led to a substantial rise in that area.

5.1.2 Socio-Economic factors affecting completion of immunization

According to the results in the study majority of the respondents had finished secondary school education, this shows that most of the mothers had the knowledge on the benefits of immunization this is also in line with (Gellin BG, 2010) who states that Various studies on assessment of mother’s knowledge on immunization schedule show mixed findings, with others reporting high levels of knowledge and others low levels. For example, assessment of partner’s knowledge about immunization schedule by in the United Arab Emirates showed variations in response to questions designed to assess their knowledge on childhood immunization.

On the same note . (Ibnouf AH, 2009),  states that Illiterate mothers due to little knowledge had less attention towards immunizationon, observed that uneducated   low standard women were reluctant to immunize their children, Similarly found that the mother’s education had positive impact on child immunization.  .However  (Ibnouf AH, 2009) further stresses that uneducated fathers showed the same attitude and give less attention towards full immunization of their children. Similarly illiterate fathers were also not interested in full immunization of their children.

Lastly the study indicates that (Gellin et al, 2011) asserts that generally, there is inadequate knowledge on benefits of immunization by parents and caretakers. The depth of knowledge available to parents and VHTs on the eight immunizable diseases, schedules of immunization, modes and sites of immunization, confirmed that this knowledge is limited.

5.1.3 Cultural beliefs and attitude affecting completion of immunization schedule in young children among mothers

According to the findings in the study the results indicated that different culture supports immunization this is also in line with  (Gindler, 2011). Who stresses that there are a number of cultural beliefs which negatively affect the uptake of immunization service. In some societies with cultural discrimination against female children, boys have a greater chance to be vaccinated.

The findings in the study further show that Gender discrimination is an important factor which guides the uptake of vaccination. The results further concur with the findings in by (Basel, 2012) who stresses that female children were more likely to dropout compared to male children. In the study conducted in migrant population in china, boys showed higher up to date immunization rate than girls.

While the (Ministry of health, 2006) streesess that Local culture shapes people`s perception of risk or perceived vulnerability people assign value to an issue on the basis of their experience and they trust expert about vaccine is key to increasing vaccine rates, which are significantly lower among children from minority groups and  children living in rural areas  .social demographic directly influenced perceived vulnerability and severity as reported in health belief model and these socio-demographics comprises of the local rural culture, including religious affiliation

According to the results in the study most of the respondents asserted that they get information regarding immunization from Health workers, this is also in line with (Easterly, 2009), who states that uneducated   low standard women were reluctant to immunize their children.

According to the results in the study majority of the respondents asserted that it is the wife who takes child for immunization,  (Gindler, 2011) who states that In some societies with cultural discrimination against female children, boys have a greater chance to be vaccinated.

Recommendation

The study recommends that that there should be a massive campaign in local areas and radio station to sensitize the people about the benefits of immunization, this will increase on the number of people taking their children to immunization.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the people in rural areas should be sensitized through its local leaders so that they area to participate in immunization.

Areas of further

The study recommends the following areas of further study;

• The influence of immunization to the health of children
• Challenges in administering immunization programmes in the rural areas
• Influence of poverty on the health of children