Factors Determining Childhood Immunisation in the Coast Province of Kenya
Abstract
Immunisation is considered very important in reducing early
childhood mortality and protecting children from disability. However,
recent statistics show a low and declining coverage for children less
than23 months of age hence raising concern on the cause and
implication to child health and survival.
This paper uses data from the Kenya Demographic and Health
Survey 2003, to examine the factors determining childhood
immunisation in the coast province of Kenya. The analysis covers four
Antigens: BCG, DPT1, Polio I and Measles. The key findings are that
maternal education, attendance of Antenatal care services, Access to
mass media, and the location of household are the main determinants
of childhood immunisation at household level. It is also shown that
Father's education at below primary level, being born of Non Christian
mother, female-headed household, low autonomy for
women, a mother being of below seventeen years of age at her first
birth" female sex of a child and poverty negatively influence the
probability of childhood immunisation, as is living in Tana-River and
Lamu districts. On the other hand, living in an urban area or TaitaTaveta
district, Hospital delivery, father's education at primary level
and above and mothers working in paid employment positively
influences immunisation of children.
Based on the findings, the inference made is that consumer-based
factors have important influence in determining household decisions
to take children for immunisation.
Citation
M.A (Economics) Thesis 2006Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Depatment of Economics, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Arts Thesis