Abstract:
Background: Vaccine-preventable diseases can be effectively managed through timely vaccine
booster doses. Tetanus toxoid immunization is one of the tried-and-true ways to stop maternal
and neonatal tetanus. However, the uptake of TT vaccines in the study area is unknown.
Therefore, this research aimed to determine the utilization of the tetanus toxoid vaccine and
associated factors in the study area.
Objective: To assess tetanus toxoid vaccine utilization and associated factors among
reproductive-age women in the Shebe Sombo district, Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Shebe Sombo district,
Jimma zone, from June 1 to 30, 2023. A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used, and
study participants were chosen using the systematic random sampling method. Data were
collected using a face-to-face interviewer-administered, pretested, and structured questionnaire.
Statistical Package for Social Science Version 25 was used to analyze the data after they were
entered into Epi-Data Manager Version 4.6. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic
regression were used in the study. The level of statistical significance was fixed at a p-value of
less than 0.05 using adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Based on the current finding, the majority [65.9%, 95% CI=62.4, 69.2] of the
respondents utilized (Tetanus toxoid 2+) doses for Tetanus in their last pregnancy. Place of
delivery [AOR: 3.48; 95% CI: 1.25, 9.63], number of antenatal care visits 2-3 times [AOR: 2.76;
95% CI: 1.48, 5.12], and 4 and above antenatal care visits [AOR: 7.07; 95% CI: 3.57, 14.02],
time to start antenatal care follow-up [AOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.29, 3.13], health extension visits
[AOR: 4.29; 95% CI: 2.80, 6.58], distance [AOR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.53, 6.60], and maternal
attitude towards vaccination [AOR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.71] were the variables significantly
associated with women's utilization of the Tetanus toxoid vaccine.
Conclusion and recommendation: only two-thirds of participant women received the protective
dose for tetanus during their previous pregnancy. Thus, efforts should be made to encourage
mothers to have antenatal care visits as a new guideline. Additionally, by enhancing road access
for transportation, institutional deliveries should be encouraged
