Socio-Demographic Determinants of Complete Childhood Immunization Coverage among Caregivers in Rural Nasarawa State, Nigeria
S. K. Bello *
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
A. Nyamve
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
I. H. Nkene
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
S. C. Hassan
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
R. P. Galleh
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
S. C. Tama
Department of Research and Development, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study examined the socio-demographic determinants of complete childhood immunisation coverage among caregivers in rural communities of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, over the period 2016–2025, with attention to trends, prevalence, associated caregiver-level determinants, and health-system challenges affecting coverage.
Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey.
Place and Duration of Study: Rural communities served by general health facilities in Lafia, Akwanga, Andaha, Wamba, Nasarawa Toto and New Karu Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria; data collection was conducted in 2025.
Methodology: The study population comprised 2,459 parents/caregivers registered for immunisation services at the selected facilities. A sample of 341 caregivers was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table and selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a sixteen-item, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire comprising socio-demographic items and four Likert-scale sections addressing trends, prevalence, socio-demographic determinants, and challenges related to complete childhood immunisation uptake. Data were analysed using SPSS with descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), while chi-square and logistic regression procedures were applied to examine associations.
Results: Most caregivers were aged 15–24 years (44.0%), single (44.0%), tertiary-educated (70.1%) and self-employed (42.1%). The majority (85.3%) affirmed that there was a discernible trend in complete childhood immunisation uptake, and 75.1% agreed that caregivers and parents were aware of this trend. Complete immunisation uptake among children aged 0–23 months was estimated by most respondents (65.7%) at approximately 30%. Antenatal clinic attendance (71.0% strongly agreed) and distance to the general hospital (84.2% strongly agreed) emerged as the socio-demographic and health-system factors most strongly associated with complete immunisation. Key challenges identified included poorly resourced health facilities (54.0% strongly agreed), flooding and environmental disruption of vaccine supply (84.2% strongly agreed), poor physical access in remote areas (96.5% strongly agreed), and persistent misconceptions about children's readiness for vaccination (82.7% agreed).
Conclusion: Complete childhood immunisation coverage in rural Nasarawa State remains suboptimal and is shaped jointly by caregiver socio-demographic characteristics, antenatal care engagement, geographic access, and health-system readiness. Targeted, multi-level interventions addressing caregiver awareness, facility strengthening, and access barriers are required to improve coverage.
Keywords: Childhood immunisation, socio-demographic characteristics, caregivers, rural health, Nasarawa State, antenatal, vaccine coverage.