The Associated Risk of Children not Being Immunized in the Ife-Central and East Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Osun State, Nigeria

Immunization remains one of the most effective public health strategies for preventing infectious diseases, reducing mortality rates, and promoting global health. However, Nigeria faces persistent challenges in achieving satisfactory immunization coverage, particularly in rural areas such as the Ife-Central and East Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Osun State. This study aimed to assess the associated risks of non-immunization among children aged 0-5 years in these regions, focusing on socio-demographic and cultural determinants. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 52 nursing mothers, employing a structured questionnaire to collect data on immunization status, socio-demographic factors, and barriers to vaccination. The results showed that 75% of children were reported as fully immunized according to the national schedule (mean = 3.75, SD = 1.14). Health issues related to immunization were noted by 32% of mothers (mean = 2.41, SD = 1.28). System-level factors such as manageable distance to health facilities (mean = 4.15, SD = 0.93) and the availability of immunization services (mean = 4.04, SD = 0.93) were largely positive, although staffing concerns were noted (mean = 3.42, SD = 1.21). At the individual level, high confidence in vaccine safety (mean = 4.44, SD = 0.66) and knowledge of the immunization schedule (mean = 4.04, SD = 0.94) were observed, but only 17% of mothers had attended educational sessions on immunization (mean = 2.88, SD = 1.22). Community-level factors demonstrated strong support for immunization, with 54% of respondents acknowledging the importance of community involvement in immunization efforts (mean = 4.42, SD = 0.63), but participation in local health programs was variable (mean = 3.38, SD = 1.23). Overall, the study revealed a generally positive perception of immunization, with an average mean score of 3.85 (SD = 1.03), but highlighted significant gaps in education, staffing, and community engagement. These findings suggest that addressing health concerns related to immunization, improving healthcare worker availability, and enhancing educational outreach could improve vaccination coverage in the Ife-Central and East LGAs. This study contributes valuable insights into the factors influencing childhood immunization in rural Nigeria and provides evidence for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing immunization uptake in similar settings.