The determinants of measles- rubella vaccine second dose uptake among children aged 19-59 months at Mwingi Central sub county Kitui, Kenya

Abstract

Measles has been considered as one among the many vaccine preventable diseases and it remains a major public health concern in Kenya. (MOH, 2013). Immunization coverage is the most common indicator used to evaluate the performance of immunization services. The study aimed to assess the determinants influencing measles- rubella second dose uptake among children aged 19-59 months at Mwingi Central Sub County, in which the level of uptake, client related determinants and the institutional related determinants influencing measles-rubella second dose were assessed. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A stratified proportionate sampling method was used to pick 380 mothers. Simple random sampling was applied in selecting children who had received first dose of Measles rubella vaccine in the year 2020. Semi structure questionnaire was used for data collection. The measles –rubella uptake was 68.9% (95% CI: 62.45% - 71.99%) while difference age groups of the mother had the following uptake: 15-19 years, 20-24 years, 25-29 years, 30- 34 years, 35-39 years and above 40 years were 60% (95% CI: 26.24% - 87.84%), 63.8% (95% CI 48.52% - 77.33%), 73.6% (95% CI: 65.16% - 81.01%), 70.1% (95% CI 60.93%- 78.20%), 68.6% (95% CI 54.11%-80.89%) and 53.8% (95% CI 33.37%-73.41%) respectively. In client related determinants, the study showed there was statistically significant positive association between residence of the mother, employment status, religion, knowledge of measles vaccination schedule and on the uptake of the 2nd dose of measles-rubella vaccine (P-value < 0.05). Finally, in facility related determinants, the study showed statistically significant positive association between distance from households, facility always being open and the uptake of the 2nd dose of measles-rubella vaccine for children between 19 -59 months (p-value < 0.05).The study recommends that the Mwingi central sub county health management team to ensure that its catchment population is educated on measles-rubella second dose vaccination schedule, ensure all immunizing health facilities are always open and ensure they provide outreach service for hard to reach community.