| dc.description.abstract | Background: Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and has been estimated to save more than three million lives in 2015 (WHO, 2015). The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices of caretakers towards immunization uptake in Katikamwe parish, Kyabugimbi trading center and Kyamutiganzi Villages, Bushenyi District.
Method: A descriptive cross sectional and quantitative study design was used with a sample size of 195 respondents who were caretakers selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected through interviews.
Results: Regarding knowledge on immunization uptake, all respondents had ever heard about immunization from health workers and could correctly define it. 175(90%) thought training about immunization was necessary, routine immunization prevented children from some infectious diseases, boosted a child‟s immunity 111(56.9%), were aware that multi-doses of the same vaccine given at intervals boosted immunity, knew that most immunizable diseases occurred before the first birth day. However they had inadequate facts about immunization, where; 92 (47.2%) did not know the right number of times a child should be immunized and when to receive the first vaccine, did not know that lack of immunization could cause serious sickness to children and were unaware of the immunizable diseases.
Had generally poor attitudes where 82 (42.1%) never perceived it necessary to always seek medical care a child falls sick, thought some vaccines were unsafe 78 (40%), associated immunization with side effects, believed that a child can be infected after immunization with the disease/s against which he/she was vaccinated, did not believe that completion of immunization schedule was important and believed that local herbs were better than modern medicine.
They also had poor practices where; they did not immunize on the exact date indicated for the next immunization schedule 102 (62.6%), started immunization late, never had immunization records, never immunized sick children and did not complete immunization despite getting information over the media. This provided ground for high prevalence of immunizable diseases in the area.
Conclusions and recommendations: Had fair awareness about immunization because apart from knowing what it is, 147 (75%) they did not know; when to immunize, the number of times to immunize and effect of immunization. They had poor attitude since they believed that vaccines were unsafe and a child could be infected with the disease he or she was immunized against. They also had poor practices where; they did not meet the immunization schedule, started immunization late, never had records while other never completed the schedule. The researcher suggests that; more education and sensitization about immunization should be done by all stakeholders; caretaker should always start immunization from birth, keep the records and complete the schedule. | en_US |
