Abstract:

Globally, vaccines are the most cost-effective medical intervention to prevent death and disease. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of access to immunization information on vaccine acceptance amongst parents/caregivers visiting the major health facilities within Wushishi Local Government Area, Niger State. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for this study. The result of the study showed a mean age of respondents was 26.88 years. 96.5% of the respondents were females, 45.5% had no formal education, 30.7% were unemployed, and 35.5% were of Hausa ethnicity. 65.1% of respondents obtain information on routine immunization within 12 months before the study. 54.5% had satisfactory knowledge of immunization, while 71.5% exhibited a favorable attitude toward immunization. The major source of information was health workers. Those who had access to information were more likely to have good knowledge of immunization (X⁶²=127.246, DF=1, p=0.001) and a more favorable attitude towards immunization (X⁶²=14.155, DF=1, p=0.001). This study has demonstrated that access to information on immunization greatly affects the knowledge and, consequently, the attitude of parents toward making a positive decision to accept vaccination. Efforts should be made to understand the content and effect of information sources on knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination by relevant stakeholders involved in the implementation of immunization programs.

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