Mapping the disparities in childhood immunization status and determinants in East Africa using ordinal logistic regression analysis

Abstract

Abstract East Africa, a region where vaccine-preventable diseases are prevalent, has faced significant challenges in immunization services despite the global success of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in reducing childhood mortality. This study utilized National Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 10 countries, involving 22,734 participants aged 12 to 23 months, to analyze the geographic distribution of child immunization and influencing factors. Employing the kriging interpolation technique, we mapped disparities across 132 regions, revealing that 25% reported less than 67% of children fully immunized, with nearly half achieving only 48% coverage. Key factors affecting immunization rates included parental education, household characteristics, media access, birth intervals, and health documentation. Educated families demonstrated higher vaccination rates, while barriers faced by female-headed households were notable. The findings underscore the need for targeted policies and region-specific strategies to enhance immunization and public health efforts in East Africa.