Drop out of tetanus toxoid immunization and associated factors among reproductive age group of women in debrebirhan twon, amhara region, northern Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Tetanus is an excruciating disease that kills one new-born every eleven or approximately 134 babies each day. Tetanus toxoid immunization is given to pregnant women and women of child bearing age to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus. In Ethiopia Expanded program on immunization baseline report shows from 74% of mothers only 18% mothers completed their tetanus toxoid vaccination. Therefore identifying factors associated with tetanus toxoid immunization drop out is important to decrease the proportion of tetanus toxoid immunization drop out as an effort for the elimination of maternal and neonatal as well as effective utilization of resources. Objective: To assess dropout of tetanus toxoid immunization and associated factors among reproductive age group of women in Debrebirhan Town, Amhara Region, Northern Ethiopia. Methods &Materials: A Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Debrebirhan Town from March 1-30, 2017 on reproductive age group women. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 422 study subjects. The data collection method was face to face interview using interviewer administered structured pretested questionnaires. The data was entered using Epi-data version 3.1.5 then exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was done by using frequency, mean, standard deviation and cross tabulation then bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to identify the association between independent and dependent variables using binary logistic regression model. Result: From total respondents (408) included in the study 72.3% of them drop out at least one dose of their tetanus toxoid immunization according to schedule. Regarding the dropped tetanus toxoid dose; the highest, 29.8% was tetanus toxoid five. The study revealed that reproductive age group women were less likely to drop out, if they knew the importance, the total dose for full vaccination and the schedule. Reproductive age group women knowledge on schedule (AOR=0.129, 95% CI: 0.039-0.426) and number of tetanus toxoid dose needed for full vaccination (AOR=0.255, 95% CI: 0.085-0.761) were statically significantly associated with tetanus toxoid vaccination drop out among reproductive age group women. Conclusion: the prevalence of dropout of tetanus toxoid immunization was high in the study area compared to other studies. From socio demographic factors reproductive age group women’s education level occupation and history of pregnancy had statically significant association with tetanus toxoid vaccination drop out.