Determinants Of Immunization Coverage Among Children Aged 12-23 Months In Kenya

Abstract

The Government of Kenya has made significant investments in improving immunization in the country to prevent diseases, especially among children. Nevertheless, the country is yet to achieve the expected 100% immunization coverage to reduce disease burden and preventable deaths. Whereas the main aim of this study is to estimate determinants of immunization coverage in Kenya among children of the age between 12-23 months, its purpose is to inform relevant National Health policies to improve immunization coverage. In order to achieve its objective, the study utilized cross-sectional data obtained from Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014. The data was analyzed using the Heckman sample selection model to determine the factors that influence immunization in Kenya. The inverse Mills ratio was found to be insignificant and therefore the analysis relied on the probit and uncorrected OLS estimators for the analysis. The study found that mother’s education and literacy, place of delivery, antenatal visits as well as household head age significantly increased the chance of child being immunized. Household size had a negative and significant effect on the probability of a child being fully immunized. Marital status of the mother, place of delivery, antenatal visits and literacy level of the mother had a positive effect on the level of immunization coverage. Household size, household head age and birth order negatively affected the level of immunization coverage