Abstract
BACKGROUND: Delay in receiving the vaccination is a major public health problem that has been associated with vaccine-preventable disease epidemics. In Ethiopia, many children have not received the benefits of age-appropriate vaccination; thus more than 90% of child deaths are largely due to preventable communicable diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the magnitude and associated factors of delayed vaccination among 12-23 months old children in Tigray, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 393, 12-23 months old children from July 1 to 30, 2018. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic, economic factors, Maternal/caregiver factors, Child's factors, and Service-related factors. We applied bivariable and multivariable logistic regression to determine predictors for delayed Vaccination. The odds ratio with 95% CI was computed to evaluate the strength of the association. RESULTS: 393 participants were involved in the study. The magnitude of delayed vaccination was 29.5% (95% CI 26.7-45). Mothers who attend tertiary (University/college) education (AOR 0.169, 95% CI 0.032-0.882), and secondary education (AOR 0.269, 95% CI 0.114-0.636) had the protective effect of delayed vaccination. But the sickness of a child (AOR = 11.8, 95% CI 6.16-22.65) was a risk for delayed vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of delayed vaccination was high, particularly among participants with Mother's education, and Mother's consideration in the child's wellness to take the vaccine. This implies that it is important to give emphasis, especially for the mothers who have an uneducated and sick child to increase awareness about the advantage of vaccination, which will improve on-time vaccination.