Association of War With Vaccination Dropout Among Children Younger Than 2 Years in the North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

IMPORTANCE: A civil war that lasted for about 6 months in the North Wollo zone of Ethiopia destroyed numerous health care facilities. However, no studies have been conducted to determine the association of the war with vaccination dropout in the area. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of war with vaccination dropout among children younger than 2 years in the North Wollo zone. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the North Wollo zone from April 1 to June 30, 2022. Participants included children younger than 2 years and their mothers. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: A vaccination dropout rate (yes or no) was assessed by interviewing mothers. RESULTS: The study included 449 children younger than 2 years and their mothers, 291 (64.8%) of whom were 20 to 34 years of age. Almost all of the mothers (426 [94.9%]) were married. More than half of the mothers (271 [60.4%]) had a primary level education. Seventy-one children (15.8%) in the area received all basic vaccinations. One hundred ninety-eight children (44.1%) who started vaccination prior to the war dropped out of the immunization program. Additionally, 64 children (14.3%) born during the war did not receive any vaccination. Losing a family member (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.11 [95% CI, 1.63-5.93]; P = .001), not being informed about catch-up vaccination (AOR, 2.18 [95% CI, 1.39-3.43]; P < .001), being a rural resident (AOR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.37-3.58]; P < .001), home birth (AOR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.11-2.77]; P = .002), and length of war (AOR for 5 months, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.28-0.93; P = .04]) were associated with the outcome variable. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that nearly 60% of children in the North Wollo zone remained undervaccinated or unvaccinated. Stakeholders should make coordinated efforts to overcome the humanitarian crisis in the area and optimize the accessibility of health services.