Immunization Dropout Rates in Ihe, Awgu Local Government Area, Enugu State, South East Nigeria: A 1 Year Review

BACKGROUND: Immunization against childhood diseases is one of the most important ways of preventing childhood morbidity and mortality. AIMS: The objective of this study is to review the dropout rates of immunization of children in a health center using a single dose of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT1) and three doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT3) vaccine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study where immunization dropout rate of children less than 1 year in a health center was ascertained. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17 (Chicago, IL, USA). Data presentation was in the form of tables and charts. The P values and confidence intervals were calculated using Chi-square. The mean and ranges of all the variables were calculated. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 972 children who are within 1 year, 63% (613/972) were immunized for DPT3 while 63.7% (619/972) were immunized for DPT1 with an overall dropout rates and percentage of 6 and 1% (6/613) respectively. Immunization coverage for 2012 was also stratified into intervals of 4 months: From January to April 2012, 168 children received DPT1 while 166 received DPT3. Between May and August 2012, 222 children received DPT1 while 226 received DPT3. The last 3(rd) of the year showed that 223 children received DPT1 while 227 received DPT3. CONCLUSIONS: Though the total immunization coverage for DPT in this rural health center is poor, they have a very low dropout rate.