FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ACCEPTABILITY OF TETANUS TOXOID VACCINATION AMONG WOMEN 15-49 YEARS OF AGE IN FIWALE, MASAITI RURAL DISTRICT OF ZAMBIA.

Introduction Tetanus toxoid vaccines are effective against maternal and neonatal tetanus. Despite its effectiveness and availability, its utilization is generally low in some populations. The level of its use or its associated factors in a rural district of Masaiti, Zambia, are not known. Aim The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence and factors associated with acceptability for Tetanus toxoid vaccination. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire with a sample size of 305. Pearson’s Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with immunization status at the level of significance of 5%. Women aged 15 to 49 years in Fiwale, Masaiti district, Copperbelt province, Zambia were included. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were reported. Results A total of 293 (96.1% response rate) participants took part in the survey of which 135 (46.1%) were vaccinated. Respondents who were in the age group 15-24 years were 68% less likely to be vaccinated than those aged 35 years or older. Participants who had children were 5.56 times more likely to be vaccinated than those who did not have children; Furthermore, participants who were employment were 3.88 times more likely to be vaccinated compared with those who were not employed. Respondents who knew about TT vaccination were 2.13 times more likely to be vaccinated than those who were not aware. Conclusion In general, factors such as age, employment status, number of children and knowledge of tetanus vaccination were associated with the acceptability of the tetanus vaccine. The study also showed that the vaccination rate for tetanus was low in fiwale compared to the standard of the World Health Organization.