Determinants of Access to the Pentavalent 3 Vaccine Among Children Aged 0-23 months in Cameroon Based on the Demographic and Health Survey 2018.

PURPOSE

Vaccination is one of the most effective and efficient health interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the determinants of access to vaccines can help improve immunization coverage and control vaccine-preventable diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the contribution of certain determinants to access to pentavalent 3 in children aged 0-23 months in Cameroon via demographic and health survey data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional nested case‒control study in which children aged 0-23 months were selected via cluster random sampling in households in the 10 regions of Cameroon. Secondary data from the Demographic and Health Survey, which was conducted in Cameroon from 2017-2018, were used. Univariate and multivariate logistic models were used to analyze the determinants of access to the pentavalent 3 vaccine.

RESULTS

The vaccination coverage of the pentavalent 3 vaccine (P3V) among children aged 0-23 months was 69.5%. The access to the P3V with Christian religion, compared with non-Christian experienced 63% of P3V (adjusted Odds ratio (AOR)=1.63, 95% CI, [1.22-2.17], p=0.001). Compared with those living in other regions in Cameron, those living in the northern regions of Cameroon were observed 37% less likely to have access to P3V (AOR=AOR=0.63, 95% CI, [0.44-0.87], p=0.006), while mother's marital status (married) compared with unmarried mothers were 37% more likely to experience access to P3V (AOR=1.37, 95% CI, [1.04-1.81], p=0.024). Relative to subjects with less education, those with at least secondary or higher education were 92% more likely to have access to P3V, (AOR=1.92, 95% CI [1.47-2.51], p<0.001), while those with cell phone experienced 44% increased access to P3V, (AOR=1.44, 95% CI, [1.17-1.78], p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Access to the pentavalent 3 vaccine in Cameroon does not meet national targets and is affected by various socio-demographic factors, including region of residence, religion, educational attainment, maternal marital status, and cell phone ownership.