Trends/patterns relating to low expanded programme of immunisation coverage among children under five years at selected health facilities in the Outapi health district, Omusati Region

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dc.contributor.authorShikongo, Michael S.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2014-02-07T14:08:14Z
dc.date.available2014-02-07T14:08:14Z
dc.date.issued2010en_US
dc.descriptionA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for trhe Degree of Master of Public Healthen_US
dc.description.abstracten_US
dc.description.abstractLow immunisation coverage of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) services in children under five years of age has been a problem worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defined low coverage of immunisation as all immunisation below 80 per health district. Countries all over the world are experiencing difficulty achieving the WHO recommended 80 immunisation coverage per district. Since 1990, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in Namibia has adopted the implementation of Primary Health Care (PHC) for basic health care delivery. EPI services were launched within the Directorate of PHC. The main aim of immunisation services is to reduce the infant morbidity and mortality rate in children under-five years of age. The infant mortality rate is an important indicator of health services delivery in every nation. Immunisation services are very important for children under five years of age and for women of childbearing age (15-49 years) to prevent vaccine-preventable diseasesen_US
dc.description.abstractIn order to understand factors that negatively influence immunisation services in Outapi Health District, a descriptive exploratory design of the quantitative approach was used to answer the research question. The research question was posed to explore and describe trends/patterns relating to low immunisation coverage among children under-five years at selected health facilities in the Outapi Health District, Omusati Region. The study was conducted because no evidence or documentation about the coverage of immunisation in Outapi Health District existed at the time. Specific objectives of the study: To describe trends/patterns relating to low immunisation coverage in children under five years at specified health facilities in Outapi District; To ascertain the attitudes and perceptions of mothers and guardians about immunisation;To establish a profile of children in Outapi Health District who are likely to have incomplete immunisation schedules; and To recommend appropriate interventions to be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in order to improve immunisation coverage in Outapi in particular, and in Namibia in general. The study identified the following contributory factors: long distances to health facilities, poverty leading to inability to pay for transporting children for follow up immunisations, lack of available public transport and poor road infra-structure. The attitudes of mothers and guardians were ascertained by asking them closed-ended questions about immunisation. The researcher found that the community lacks information related to childhood immunisation. In conclusion, this study makes the following recommendations and suggestions: Training should be conducted for all health workers on EPI programmes in Outapi Health District. Construction of shelters for pregnant mothers at district hospitals could help prevent the need for home deliveries. Outreach points and health facilities should be expanded in the district. Immunisation campaigns and health education should be conducted to enhance community awareness about immunisation, and Collaboration among various sectors of the community should be strengtheneden_US
dc.description.degreeWindhoeken_US
dc.description.degreeNamibiaen_US
dc.description.degreeUniversity of Namibiaen_US
dc.description.degreeMaster of Public Healthen_US
dc.description.statusSuccessfully Downloaded file :http://wwwisis.unam.na/theses/shikongo2010.pdfen_US
dc.format.extentxvi, 128 pen_US
dc.identifier.isisF004-199299999999999en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11070/500
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.masterFileNumber3685en_US
dc.source.urien_US
dc.source.urihttp://wwwisis.unam.na/theses/shikongo2010.pdfen_US
dc.subjectImmunization of children Namibiaen_US
dc.subjectChildren health and hygiene Namibiaen_US
dc.titleTrends/patterns relating to low expanded programme of immunisation coverage among children under five years at selected health facilities in the Outapi health district, Omusati Regionen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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