Factors influencing immunization schedule compliance in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: To have maximal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), a child should receive all immunizations within recommended intervals and a rate of 95% immunization coverage is necessary for the sustained control of the vaccine-preventable diseases. Compliance with the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) schedule therefore is essential. Objective : To assess factors influencing compliance with the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) schedule in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. Method: In this descriptive community-based cross sectional survey, an intervieweradministered questionnaire was used to get information from mothers who have at least one child aged 12 to 59 months. This was done to assess and document the factors that influence compliance with the NPI schedule. Survey participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Results: The total number of mother-child pairs recruited for this study was 560. Compliance was 91.1%. Compliance among educated parents and mothers who had antenatal care was significant (p<0.001) while marital status, mothers’ age and source of information on immunization did not significantly influence compliance. Some reasons for immunization schedule non-compliance in the community included forgetfulness on the mothers’ part, busy schedule, sick baby, family conflict and mother’s travel while difficulties encountered in getting immunization included far distance from immunization centres, lack of transport and long waiting time. Conclusion: Compliance with NPI schedule in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State was high and encouraging. However intervention programmes to improve and sustain the gains already achieved needs to be instituted. Keyword: immunization, compliance, NPI schedule, Nigeria