Childhood vaccination in Ghana from 1998 to 2014

Abstract

The adverse effect of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) on the health of children cannot be overemphasized. These diseases are major causes of illness, disability and death in childhood, and account for 17 percent of global total under-five mortality per year. Vaccination remains one of public health’s greatest achievements. It is one of the major ways to reduce child morbidity and mortality from common VPDs. The vaccines given to children as part of the Extended Program on Immunisation in Ghana includes polio 1, 2 and 3, measles, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT) 1, 2 and 3 as well as yellow fever vaccines. Using the health care service utilisation model, this study assessed childhood vaccination in Ghana from 1998 to 2014. Mothers of children who are aged 0-23 months from four rounds 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2014 of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey were used for the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed in the study. Over the period, BCG was the most received vaccine while the least received vaccine was measles. Vaccination coverage for all the four vaccines received by children increased from 1998 to 2014. Thus, from 83% to 94% for BCG, 54% to 71% for DPT, 54% to 79% for polio and 43% to 50% for measles. Age of the mother, occupation, education, religion and parity were the factors that influenced the uptake of the vaccination. There is the need for MoH and the Ghana Health Service to strengthen interventions and messages targeting mothers and potential mothers on the importance of vaccination and immunisation for their children.