Sociodemographic influences on immunization of children with chronic neurological disorders in Enugu, Nigeria

BackgroundChildren with chronic neurological disorders (CND) may be at risk of under immunization. Both health workers and care givers may inappropriately categorize their clinical features as contraindication to immunization and may not want to immunize these children. This cross sectional study was to determine the influence of sociodemographic characteristics such as maternal education and occupation, fathers occupation and education, gender of the child and nature of CND on the immunization coverage rate of these children.MethodsInformation such as the child’s biodata, parental educational status, occupation of parents and immunization status were obtained from interviewer administered pretested questionnaires and immunization cards of children with chronic neurological disorder.The study population included children with chronic neurological disorders aged 6 months to 5 years and attending the pediatric neurology clinic of UNTH Enugu. Chi square tests were used to determine the significance in the relationship between the socio demographic factors and immunization coverage of these children.ResultsMother’s educational attainment and father’s occupation were observed to significantly affect the immunization coverage of children with chronic neurological disorders. The type of chronic neurological disorders also significantly affected the immunization coverage of these children. Other factors such as child’s gender, maternal occupation and father’s education did not significantly influence the immunization coverage of these children with CND.ConclusionChildren with obvious neurological deficits whose mothers have low educational attainment are at risk of low immunization coverage. It is recommended that healthcare workers should assess the immunization status of children with CND at every opportunity. Female education and empowerment should be encouraged as a means of enhancing the immunization coverage of these children.