Validity of maternal recall for estimating childhood vaccination coverage - Evidence from Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination coverage surveys in low- and middle-income countries typically estimate vaccination coverage using data from vaccination cards, parental recall, or a combination of the two. However, these surveys are often complicated by the pervasive absence of vaccination cards, forcing researchers to rely on parental recall. We assessed the validity of mothers' recall against home-based vaccination cards using data from a community-based household survey in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1,254 mothers of children aged 12-23 months was performed in Enugu State, Nigeria in July 2020. Data on vaccination status for BCG, OPV, DPT, Measles, Yellow fever, and Vitamin A supplement were collected using two data sources: home-based vaccination cards and mothers' recall. We evaluated the level of agreement between the two data sources; estimated the sensitivity and specificity of mothers' recalls; and computed multivariable regression models to identify socio-demographic factors associated with mothers' recall bias. RESULTS: Out of 1,254 mothers interviewed, 578 (46.1%) mothers with vaccination cards were included in this analysis. Vaccination coverage levels were generally similar across data sources, though recall-based data generally underestimated the coverage. The level of agreement between the two data sources was high (≥91.0% for all vaccine types) with recall bias due to under-reporting generally higher than recall bias due to over-reporting. The sensitivity of parental recalls was high for all vaccine types, while the specificity was low across vaccine types. Across all vaccines, mothers recall bias was significantly associated with the rural residence and not receiving postnatal care. CONCLUSION: In the absence of vaccination cards, mothers' recall of their children' vaccination status for BCG, OPV, DPT, Measles, Yellow fever and Vitamin A is a valid instrument for estimating childhood vaccination coverage in this setting in Nigeria. However, additional research is needed to confirm these findings at higher sub-national and national levels.

Acceptability of mobile-phone reminders for routine childhood vaccination appointments in Nigeria - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mobile-phone reminders have gained traction among policymakers as a way to improve childhood vaccination coverage and timeliness. However, there is limited evidence on the acceptability of mobile-phone reminders among patients and caregivers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the ownership of mobile-phone device and the willingness to receive mobile-phone reminders among mothers/caregivers utilizing routine childhood immunization services in Nigeria. METHOD: MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, CNKI, AJOL (African Journal Online), and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies on the acceptability of mobile-phone reminders for routine immunization appointments among mothers/caregivers in Nigeria. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and JBI critical appraisal checklists. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model to generate pooled estimates (proportion) of mothers who owned at least one mobile phone and proportion of mothers willing to receive mobile-phone reminders. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (13 cross-sectional and three interventional) involving a total of 9923 mothers across 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja met inclusion criteria. Pooled estimates showed that the proportion of mothers who owned at least one mobile phone was 96.4% (95% CI = 94.1-98.2%; I2 = 96.3%) while the proportion of mothers willing to receive mobile-phone reminders was 86.0% (95% CI = 79.8-91.3%, I2 = 98.4%). Most mothers preferred to receive text message reminders at least 24 h before the routine immunization appointment day, and in the morning hours. Approximately 52.8% of the mothers preferred to receive reminders in English, the country's official language. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests a high acceptability for mobile-phone reminder interventions to improve routine childhood immunization coverage and timeliness. Further studies, however, are needed to better understand unique regional preferences and assess the operational costs, long-term effects, and risks of this intervention. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021234183.

Factors associated with incomplete immunisation in children aged 12-23 months at subnational level, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: National immunisation coverage rate masks subnational immunisation coverage gaps at the state and local district levels. The objective of the current study was to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with incomplete immunisation in children at a sub-national level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using the WHO sampling method (2018 Reference Manual). SETTING: Fifty randomly selected clusters (wards) in four districts (two urban and two rural) in Enugu state, Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: 1254 mothers of children aged 12-23 months in July 2020. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Fully immunised children and not fully immunised children. RESULTS: Full immunisation coverage (FIC) rate in Enugu state was 78.9% (95% CI 76.5% to 81.1%). However, stark difference exists in FIC rate in urban versus rural districts. Only 55.5% of children in rural communities are fully immunised compared with 94.5% in urban communities. Significant factors associated with incomplete immunisation are: children of single mothers (aOR=5.74, 95% CI 1.45 to 22.76), children delivered without skilled birth attendant present (aOR=1.93, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.99), children of mothers who did not receive postnatal care (aOR=6.53, 95% CI 4.17 to 10.22), children of mothers with poor knowledge of routine immunisation (aOR=1.76, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.87), dwelling in rural district (aOR=7.49, 95% CI 4.84 to 11.59), low-income families (aOR=1.56, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.81) and living further than 30 min from the nearest vaccination facility (aOR=2.15, 95% CI 1.31 to 3.52). CONCLUSIONS: Although the proportion of fully immunised children in Enugu state is low, it is significantly lower in rural districts. Study findings suggest the need for innovative solutions to improve geographical accessibility and reinforce the importance of reporting vaccination coverage at local district level to identify districts for more targeted interventions.

Perception and attitudinal factors contributing to periodic deworming of preschool children in an urban slum, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Over 20 million preschool-age children (PSAC) in Nigeria require periodic chemotherapy (PC) for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. Persistently low coverage for this age group threatens the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 target for eliminating STH infections. Current strategies for targeting PSAC have been largely ineffective. Hence, PSAC are mostly dewormed by their parents/caregivers. However, little is known of the perception and attitude of parents/caregivers of PSAC to deworming in this setting. METHODS: A mixed methods design, combining a community-based interviewer-administered questionnaire-survey (n = 433) and focus group discussions (FGD) (n = 43) was used to assess the perceptions and attitudes of mothers to periodic deworming of preschool children aged 2-5 years in Abakpa-Nike, Enugu, Nigeria. RESULTS: Coverage of periodic deworming in PSAC is 42% (95% CI: 37.3-46.8%). There is significant difference in the specific knowledge of transmission of STH (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48-0.81, p = 0.000), complication of STH infections (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.98, p = 0.034), accurate knowledge of deworming frequency (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18-0.90, p = 0.026), and knowledge of PC drug, mebendazole (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09-0.90, p = 0.031), and pyrantel (AOR = 8.03, 95% CI: 2.22-29.03, p = 0.001) between mothers who periodically deworm their PSAC and those who do not. There is no significant difference in specific knowledge of the symptoms of STH infections (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.57-1.02, p = 0.069) and PC drug, Albendazole (AOR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.46-2.11, p = 0.972). FGD revealed misconceptions that are rooted in stark ignorance of the disease. Overall attitude to deworming is positive and favourable. CONCLUSIONS: Poor coverage of periodic deworming for STH infections in PSAC in this setting are primarily driven by poor specific knowledge of the risks and burden of the infection. Focused health education on the burden and transmission of STH infections could complement existing strategies to improve periodic deworming of PSAC in this setting.