Abstract:
This study was carried out to assess the socio-economic and geographical differences in utilization of routine immunization in Enugu East L.G.A. of Enugu State. The objectives of the study were to determine the utilization of routine immunization service among children 0-2 years in different geographical locations, compare utilization of routine immunization services among different socio-economic classes and identify factors that affect utilization of routine immunization. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 2 communities (1 rural, 1 urban) from the L.G.A. for the study and snow-ball non-probability sampling technique was used to select the participant for the study who met the inclusion criteria. A sample size of 384 was determined using Godden formula for infinite population. A validated researcher developed questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Chi-Square was used to test the hypothesis. Findings revealed that the location of respondents did not affect utilization of immunization. It was also discovered that utilization increased with increase in socio-economic status, the higher the socio economic status, the higher the utilization. It was also discovered that there are factors that affect utilization of routine immunization which include time schedule, availability of vaccines, erroneous beliefs about immunization, attitude of some health workers. Based on these findings it was concluded that health workers should intensity effort to see that children receive the needed immunization as at when due. It is recommended that mothers should be encouraged to immunize their children to avoid the risk of future occurrence of these preventable diseases.
