Does insecurity affect vaccination outcomes in northern Nigeria?4 answersInsecurity in northern Nigeria has a negative impact on vaccination outcomes. Conflict and insurgency, such as the activities of Boko Haram, have led to the displacement of populations and the creation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, which pose challenges for implementing vaccination campaigns. The presence of armed conflict within close proximity to where children reside significantly reduces the likelihood of vaccination, with a 47.2% lower odds of receiving any vaccination. Insecurity also hampers access to settlements and vaccination teams, resulting in missed children and lower coverage rates. The consequences of reduced vaccination rates include an increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases among vulnerable populations. Efforts to address these challenges include engaging security personnel to improve access to security-compromised areas and implementing strategies such as the establishment of vaccination posts at entry points into IDP camps. Overall, insecurity in northern Nigeria has a detrimental effect on vaccination outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to ensure adequate immunization coverage in conflict-affected areas.
Why is there disparity between vaccination rates in Northern and southern Nigeria?5 answersThere is a disparity between vaccination rates in Northern and southern Nigeria due to various factors. One study found that rural areas and the northern zones consistently had higher prevalence of children with incomplete vaccination status compared to urban areas and the southern zones. Factors contributing to this disparity include mothers' education and household wealth level, which explained the reduction in the prevalence of zero-dose and under-immunized children, but had a weaker impact on dropout children. Another study identified that mothers' knowledge and parity, parents' educational status, and the father's age significantly influenced vaccine uptake within the community. These findings suggest that differences in education, socioeconomic status, and knowledge about vaccination contribute to the disparity in vaccination rates between Northern and southern Nigeria.
What are the factors affecting the implementation of immunization in Borno State?5 answersThe factors affecting the implementation of immunization in Borno State include low routine immunization coverage, religious and cultural practices, corruption and mismanagement of resources, low health education on immunization, poverty, poor health facilities, and inadequate health personnel. These factors have contributed to low immunization coverage in the state, leading to a high prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases and high maternal mortality rates. In addition, the activities of Boko Haram in inaccessible areas have resulted in a concentration of unvaccinated children, creating a polio sanctuary. The engagement of security personnel has been effective in improving access to these security-compromised areas and increasing immunization coverage. To address these challenges, there is a need for value reorientation of religious leaders and their followers, public enlightenment campaigns, seminars, workshops, and conferences to enhance health education on child immunization. Additionally, policies directed at overcoming the friction of distance, such as mobile clinics in rural areas, are required to improve immunization uptake in the state.
What are the difficulties routine immunisation during pandemics?5 answersRoutine immunisation during pandemics faces several difficulties. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a substantial decline in routine immunisation coverage in children globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Fear of COVID-19 and avoidance of health services were identified as the most common reasons for disruption. Other challenges included transport challenges preventing families and healthcare professionals from reaching vaccination services. The pandemic has also led to interrupted vaccination demand and supply, including reduced availability of the health workforce. These disruptions have resulted in a sharp fall in children receiving routine immunisation, with significant decreases in vaccination coverage for various vaccines. The impact of COVID-19 on routine immunisation services varied across settings and over time, highlighting the need for contextually-tailored mitigation efforts and adaptation. The global scale of immunisation disruption during the pandemic underscores the dangers of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and the importance of ongoing assessment and recovery strategies.
What are the level of uptake of routine medical check up in Nigeria?5 answersThe level of uptake of routine medical check-ups in Nigeria is poor. Women in Lagos, Nigeria had poor knowledge and utilization of preventive healthcare services for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In a rural community-based adult population in South West Nigeria, cancer screening activities were infrequent, with low rates of cervical cancer screening, mammogram, and colonoscopy screening. A deficiency in cancer screening and universal healthcare coverage was highlighted in this population. The prevalence of routine check-ups in the community was not mentioned in the available abstracts. The capacity and readiness assessments of public Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Nigeria showed sufficient capacity for screening, diagnosis, and confirmation of hypertension, but a critical need for essential medicine supply strengthening, health-worker training, and protocols for hypertension treatment and control. The level of COVID-19 vaccination among clinical medical students in Enugu, South-East Nigeria was very low, possibly due to low knowledge of the vaccine and negative perception.
What is the current immunisation status in Nigeria?3 answersImmunization coverage in Nigeria is suboptimal, with low vaccination rates observed. The national immunization schedule in Nigeria focuses mainly on early childhood, neglecting immunization in adolescence. As a result, Nigerian adolescents have poor protection against vaccine-preventable diseases such as tetanus, rubella, and hepatitis B. Geographical variations in vaccination coverage have also been observed, with some states, such as Zamfara, having particularly low coverage rates. Factors contributing to low immunization coverage include ethnicity, religious beliefs, lack of knowledge, and cultural beliefs. Strategies to improve immunization uptake in Nigeria include implementing effective adolescent immunization programs, increasing awareness and knowledge about immunization, and targeting specific demographic factors such as female literacy and religious institutions.