MATERNAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHILDHOOD VACCINATION IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Despite the significant impact of vaccination on reducing child mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, polio, tuberculosis, and Haemophilus influenzae, vaccine uptake and coverage remain a challenge, particularly in countries like Nigeria. While the government provides free routine vaccination up to age two, many children miss out on essential vaccines beyond this age due to various factors. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of mothers towards childhood vaccination, particularly beyond the age of two, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 321 mothers, collecting data on their attitudes towards vaccination using a modified, pretested questionnaire administered through an online survey. Descriptive and inferential Chi-square statistics were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that the majority of participants were Urhobo (60.7%), semi-employed (50.2%), and had tertiary education (88.8%). A significant majority (79.4%) had positive attitudes towards vaccination. Ethnicity (p = 0.026), employment status (p = 0.016), and educational level (p < 0.001) were strongly associated with positive attitudes towards vaccination. The overall attitudes of mothers in Ughelli North Local Government Area were found to be generally positive. To further enhance positive attitudes towards vaccination among mothers in this area, it is recommended that targeted health promotion strategies be developed. These strategies, which should be replicated in other regions, should leverage various media platforms to reach a wider audience and emphasize the importance of completing the full vaccination schedule for children. Additionally, efforts should be made to enhance access to vaccination services and address socio-demographic disparities that may influence vaccine uptake.