The reasons behind incomplete children vaccination in a sample from Iraqi society

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of incomplete vaccination among children aged under 15 years and the factors associated with it. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 children who visited the main two teaching hospitals in Al-Kut City (Al Zahraa Teaching Hospital ‘the 6th-floor’ and Al Karama Teaching Hospital), in addition to three Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs) (Abdullah Ben Rawaha, Al Hakeem, and Badra) in Al-Kut City/ Wasit Province/ Iraq. Data were collected using a modified and translated questionnaire from a previous study. Results: The number of children who got the vaccine in their lives was 85.2%, and only 50% of them mentioned completing the vaccine schedule. The main cause of non-compliance was the long-distance walking to the health center (70.3%). Children who were eligible but didn’t receive the vaccination (60%) due to factors like doctor refusal. More than half (55.2%) mentioned a lack of awareness regarding the schedule. Complications were noted in only 10.9%, with the highest percentage complaining of elevated body temperature (6.1%). There is a significant association between the vaccination status of children and their ages, monthly family income, parents’ education, and residency (P value < 0.001). Gender was also associated with (P-value =0.002). Conclusion: In this study, a higher percentage of children didn’t receive their routine vaccines as recommended by health facilities, and this may relate to many factors like age, gender, family income, and parents’ educational level. These results are of great value in planning for increasing vaccination coverage.