Acceptance of Childhood Rotavirus Vaccine Among Mothers at The Point of Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction: A case study from Awka Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rotaviruses are the single most important cause of severe diarrhoeal illness in infants and young children worldwide. In Africa, Nigeria has one of the highest under 5 years rotavirus disease prevalence of 56% and mortality due to rotavirus accounted for an estimated 31,000 deaths in 2013. On 22 August, 2022, targeting universal immunization, the government of Nigeria through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, introduced the rotavirus vaccine into Routine Immunization (RI) Schedule. The study aimed to assess parents’ acceptance to have their children vaccinated against rotavirus METHODS: We conducted A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study among 217 childbearing mothers attending clinics of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka Anambra State. Data analysis was performed with SPSS version 27. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six (166/217,76.5%) of respondents had heard of rotavirus infection., while 86.5% (142/166) of them had knowledge that vaccine is the main preventive measure and 69.3% (115/166) were aware of the recent rotavirus vaccine introduction into the National Immunization Programme (NIP). Ninety-one percent (91%) (169/217) were ready to accept rotavirus vaccine because it is safe and useful to the health of their children. Only 3.7% (7/217) of respondents had some safety concerns about rotavirus vaccine. Fifty percent (50%; 108/217) respondents had given their children rotavirus vaccines (either from private facilities before introduction into NPI or following the introduction. Regarding associated factors, women who had tertiary education were three times more likely than those with lower educational level to have knowledge of rotavirus (aOR=2.992; 95%CI=1.425-6.028; p=<0.001). Respondents emphasized the need for more information on the vaccine effectiveness and safety with the Medical Doctor having the highest confidence in the doctor to provide information about immunization.