Extent of Compliance and Perception of Mothers on Childhood Immunization in Barangay Ugac Sur, Tuguegarao City, Philippines: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the extent of compliance of mothers to immunization of their children and the perception of mothers on Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI). Cross-sectional Study, Descriptive. A total of 50 mothers with child or children <5 years of age in Barangay Ugac Sur, Tuguegarao City, Philippines was included in the study. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistical tools were utilized to characterize the study population. Fisher’s exact test was employed to find out significant association between categorical variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age of respondents was 32±7.19 years old. Ninety-four percent (94%) of the respondents were compliant and 6% were non-compliant. Non-compliance was attributed to conflict of schedule. Among the categorical variables, only the employment status and the place of vaccination were significantly associated with the extent of compliance of the mothers to childhood immunization. The proportion of compliant mothers who brought their children to Health center (82%) was significantly higher (p-value<0.05) than the proportion of compliant mothers who brought their children to private clinics (18%). Majority of the respondents had their children’s vaccination at the health center, while only a few mothers opted to bring their children in private clinics for the routine vaccination of their children. The respondents gave the highest rating on the perception that giving immunization at the right time is more effective in strengthening the immune system of their children, and that there is little to no risk of an epidemic if children have been immunized. Majority of the mothers were compliant to their children’s vaccination, and viewed immunization as an important preventive strategy for their children.