Uptake and determinants of childhood vaccination status among children aged 0–12 months in three West African countries

BACKGROUND: Vaccination has long been recognized as one of the most effective ways to reduce child mortality. It has played a significant role, particularly for children, and is considered a major achievement and relevant in preventing childhood diseases worldwide. This study looks at the uptake and determinants of childhood vaccination status among children under the age of one year, for Gambia, Sierra Leon, and Liberia. METHOD: Data from 2019 to 20 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were pooled for the analysis used in this study. Data were obtained from a total weighted sample of 5,368 children aged 0–12 months through a stratified two-stage cluster sampling approach. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the predictors of childhood vaccination uptake at 95% confidence interval (CIs) with computed adjusted odds ratios (aORs). RESULTS: The weighted sample pooled prevalence of full vaccination among children under 12 months of age was 15.1% for males and 15.0% for females. After controlling for confounders in the regression model, factors that were found to be associated with vaccination status include children whose mothers attended postnatal care (PNC) visits had higher odds of being fully vaccinated (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03–1.46), while children whose fathers had primary education (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.48–0.96), children whose households never watched TV (aOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.56–0.82) and children whose mothers attended 1–3 antenatal care (ANC) visits (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.45–0.79) had lower odds of being fully vaccinated. CONCLUSION: Childhood vaccination uptake was low among children under 12 months of age in these countries. Hence, there is a need to promote the uptake of vaccination across these three West African countries especially among rural dwellers.