Timeliness of the second dose of measles-containing vaccine uptake and its determinants among children aged 24–36 months in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023: Community-based cross-sectional study design

Background: Measles remains a global public health concern, despite the availability of effective vaccines. Recent<br> outbreaks highlight the need for strong vaccination programs. Since launching both doses, Ethiopia has been<br> working with global health organizations to increase vaccination coverage. However, focusing solely on coverage<br> overlooks the importance of timely vaccination. In Ethiopia, despite occasional increases in coverage, measles<br> outbreaks persist due to insufficient attention to timeliness. This study aims to assess the timeliness and its<br> determinants of second-dose measles-containing vaccine uptake in Gondar City to inform efforts to strengthen<br> immunization programs and prevent measles infections.<br> Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 618 children aged 24–36 months.<br> Participants were selected using a two-stage systematic random sampling method from April 25 to May 25.<br> Structured questionnaires were administered through interviews, and data were collected using the Kobo toolbox<br> and then analyzed using Stata version 17. A binary logistic regression model was utilized to determine factors<br> associated with the outcome, with significance declared at a p-value &lt;0.05. Adjusted odds ratios with 95 %<br> confidence intervals were used to assess the direction and strength of associations.<br> Results: Among the total of 618 children, 523 (84.63 %) (95 % CI: 81.77 %–87.48 %) were vaccinated for MCV2<br> timely (in the national recommended age). Paternal college and above in their education (AOR: 5.84, 95 % CI:<br> 1.55–8.18), four or more ANC follow-ups (AOR: 5.84, 95 % CI: 1.55–8.18), at least two doses of vitamin An<br> uptake (AOR: 6.39, 95 % CI: 2.92–12.59), mothers having high awareness (AOR: 2.04, 95 % CI: 1.05–3.99), and<br> mothers having positive perception (AOR: 4.81, 95 % CI: 2.13–10.86) to measles vaccination were significant<br> determinants for timely uptake of the second dose measles-containing vaccine.<br> Conclusion and recommendations: The timely uptake of the second dose of the measles vaccine in the study area<br> was suboptimal, and efforts should be continued to eradicate measles infection. Paternal educational status, ANC<br> follow-ups, repeated vitamin An uptake, maternal awareness, and perception of measles vaccination were statistically significant determinants for the timely uptake of a second dose of measles-containing vaccine.<br> Strengthening maternal and child health services, increasing awareness, and changing mothers’ perceptions<br> about measles vaccination may increase the timely uptake of MCV2 among children receiving a second MCV<br> dose.