Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Factors Associated with Drop-Out between Tuberculosis and Measles Immunization among Infants in Parakou (Benin) in 2012

Didier Julien Adedemy*,Alphonse Noudamadjo,Joseph Agossou,Joachim G. Aïfa,Marius Atcheni Esse,Sikiratou Adeothy-Koumakpaï,Blaise Ayivi

Introduction: In Benin, the epidemiological profile is dominated by endemic and epidemic diseases preventable through immunization. This study had been carried out to determine the factors associated with the rate of drop-out between tuberculosis and measles immunization among infants aged 12-23 months in the District of Parakou.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional and analytical study had been carried out from July to August 2013 on 510 couples of children- mothers of children aged 12 to 23 months in the District of Parakou. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used for comparisons with a significance threshold p<0.05. Results: The ratio of children completely and properly immunized was 68.82% and the rate of drop-out between BCG and measles immunization in the District was 31.18%. In 57.45% of the cases, child mothers said they know the target diseases of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), but no one of them was able to mention at least 8 target diseases. Among those mothers, 17.45% knew the EPI immunization schedule. Drop-out between BCG and measles immunization was significantly associated with certain factors, the main ones being: place of delivery, number of under 5-year siblings, educational background and quality of information received after child immunization. Conclusion: This study suggests that communication aiming to enhance the level of information and child mothers and communities’ knowledge of immunization should be improved.