The Interplay of Ethnicity, Education, and Employment on Maternal Attitudes Toward Childhood Vaccination in Nigeria
Authors:   PhD, Department of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Kennedy Obohwemu Oberhiri ,   and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Ama Owusuaa-Asante Maame ,   PhD, Department of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Ndioho Ibiangake Friday ,   PhD, Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, Gabriel Abayomi Olaoluwa ,   PhD Department of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University, Manchester, United Kingdom, Joyce Idomeh Eberechukwu ,   PhD Department of Social Works (DSW), College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park Campus, Sturt Road, Bedford Park 5042, South Australia, Chauhan Rupali ,   MPH Department of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Global Banking School, Oxford Brookes University, Manchester, United Kingdom, Sharma Shubham ,   MDS, Independent Researcher, Manchester, United Kingdom
Published: January 2025

Vaccination is a highly effective public health strategy for reducing child mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as measles, polio, tuberculosis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Despite the provision of free routine immunizations for children up to two years old in Nigeria, challenges in vaccine uptake persist, especially for vaccines needed beyond early childhood. These challenges are not merely due to vaccine access but are significantly influenced by maternal attitudes towards immunization. Socio-demographic factors such as ethnicity, education, and employment status are crucial in shaping these attitudes, yet their specific impacts are not well understood. This study aims to explore how these socio-demographic variables affect maternal attitudes towards childhood immunization, with a focus on immunization beyond the age of two in Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 321 mothers in Ughelli North LGA, utilizing a modified, pre-tested questionnaire to evaluate maternal attitudes towards childhood immunization. Data were collected through an online survey and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with Chi-square tests used to assess the relationships between socio-demographic factors and attitudes. The majority of participants were Urhobo (60.7%), semi-employed (53.6%), and had tertiary education (92.1%). The findings showed that 79.4% of mothers had positive attitudes towards childhood immunization. Significant associations were found between maternal attitudes and ethnicity (p = 0.026), employment status (p = 0.016), and educational level (p < 0.001), indicating that these factors are pivotal in shaping maternal views on the importance and necessity of immunization.
Unexpectedly, even mothers with high educational levels showed variability in their attitudes based on ethnic background and employment status, suggesting that public health interventions must consider the complex interplay of these factors. The study's results provide valuable insights into the socio-cultural and economic determinants of maternal attitudes towards immunization in Ughelli, underscoring the need for targeted health promotion strategies that address specific demographic groups. Efforts should focus on community-based interventions and media campaigns that highlight the importance of continuing vaccination beyond infancy. Additionally, enhancing access to immunization services and addressing barriers related to employment and ethnicity will be crucial for improving vaccine uptake in the region.