Determinants of Childhood Immunization Non-Compliance Among Nursing Mothers in a Resource-Constrained Setting, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Immunization remains one of the most effective strategies to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality, yet non-compliance with recommended regimens persists in resource-constrained settings. This study assessed factors influencing immunization non-compliance among nursing mothers attending a health facility in Nigeria. Data on mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and compliance were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The mean knowledge score was 16.4, with about one quarter of respondents demonstrating low knowledge. Although nearly all mothers (96.3%) reported initiating immunization for their children, only a fraction (68.8%) completed the full regimen. Further assessment suggests a positive attitude towards compliance among the respondents. Chi-square analysis indicated no significant association between socio-economic status and compliance, but significant associations were observed with maternal education and ethnic background. These findings highlight the influence of knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics on immunization adherence. The study is limited by its cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported data, and focus on a single health facility, which may restrict generalizability. Nevertheless, it provides valuable insights to guide educational campaigns and policy strategies aimed at improving immunization uptake in low resource settings.