1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Over the decades, global immunization campaigns have achieved significant milestones, including the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and substantial reductions in polio cases worldwide. Despite these achievements, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, logistical barriers, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure have persisted, hindering the universal coverage of immunization programs (UNICEF, 2020). In recent years, immunization efforts have expanded to include newer vaccines for diseases such as rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and pneumococcal infections, all of which disproportionately affect children under five years old. These vaccines have proven to be instrumental in reducing child mortality and improving overall health outcomes. However, disparities in access to vaccines remain a significant issue, particularly in underprivileged communities.
Immunization is widely recognized as a cornerstone of public health, significantly reducing the incidence of preventable diseases and improving child survival rates. Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases due to their developing immune systems, making timely immunization crucial for safeguarding their health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), immunization prevents approximately 2 to 3 million deaths annually, highlighting its role in reducing child mortality and morbidity worldwide.
Historically, the introduction of vaccines for diseases such as smallpox, polio, and measles has led to dramatic declines in their prevalence, with some diseases being eradicated in certain regions. For example, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) launched by WHO in 1974 aimed to ensure universal access to vaccines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where immunization coverage was previously inadequate. However, despite these efforts, millions of children, particularly in resource-poor settings, remain unvaccinated or under-vaccinated (UNICEF, 2020).
In many communities, factors such as lack of access to healthcare services, vaccine hesitancy, cultural beliefs, and misinformation contribute to low immunization rates. These challenges not only place unvaccinated children at risk but also threaten herd immunity, increasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks (MacDonald et al., 2015).
Immunization is one of the most effective public health interventions, providing protection against various infectious diseases that pose a significant threat to children, particularly those under five years of age. This critical age group is highly vulnerable to illnesses such as measles, polio, and pneumonia, which can result in severe health complications or even death if not adequately prevented. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) emphasizes that immunization not only safeguards individual children but also contributes to community immunity, thereby reducing the overall burden of disease. Despite the proven benefits of immunization, challenges such as lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, and logistical barriers continue to hinder its uptake in many regions. According to UNICEF (2020), millions of children worldwide, particularly in low-income countries, remain unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, leaving them at risk of preventable diseases. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the impart of immunization for children from zero to five year of ages.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that immunization is one of the most effective tools for protecting children from life-threatening diseases, yet many children under the age of five remain unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. This is a pressing issue, as these children are at a heightened risk of contracting preventable diseases such as measles, polio, and pneumonia, which are major contributors to child morbidity and mortality globally. According to UNICEF (2020), despite global progress, approximately 20 million children miss out on essential vaccines annually, leaving them vulnerable to diseases that are preventable with timely immunization.
The problem is exacerbated by various barriers, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, vaccine supply issues, and limited access to immunization services in remote and underserved areas. Additionally, vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation and cultural beliefs is a growing challenge, undermining public confidence in immunization programs (MacDonald et al., 2015). It is against the backdrop that this study seeks to address these problems by evaluating the impart of immunization for children from zero to five year of ages.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of immunization on the health and well-being of children from zero to five years of age. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the effectiveness of immunization in preventing common childhood diseases within the age group.
- To explore the challenges faced by parents and healthcare providers in ensuring full immunization of children.
- To investigate the factors influencing parental attitudes and decisions regarding immunization.
- To assess the level of immunization coverage among children aged zero to five years.
- To recommend strategies for improving immunization practices and accessibility for children in underserved communities.
1.4 Research Questions
The research study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How effective is immunization in preventing common childhood diseases such as measles, polio, and pneumonia in children under five?
- What are the key challenges faced by parents and healthcare providers in ensuring complete immunization for children?
- What factors influence parental attitudes and decisions regarding the immunization of their children?
- What is the level of immunization coverage among children aged zero to five years?
- What strategies can be implemented to improve immunization practices and accessibility for children in underserved communities?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: Immunization has no significant impact on the reduction of preventable diseases among children aged zero to five years.
- H1: Immunization has significant impact on the reduction of preventable diseases among children aged zero to five years.
1.6 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing parental decisions and attitudes towards immunization. The study will also provide recommendations for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders on how to strengthen immunization programs, ultimately contributing to better child health and the achievement of broader public health goals.
Furthermore, the study will help improve parents and caregivers' understanding of the importance of immunization in protecting their children from preventable diseases. Also, for healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and public health professionals, the findings will offer valuable information on the challenges and barriers to immunization.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of this study will focus on assessing the impact of immunization for children aged zero to five years in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study will specifically examine the immunization coverage, effectiveness, and the factors influencing vaccine uptake among children in both urban and rural areas within the state.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The study was constrained by time and resource limitations, which restricted the ability to conduct a more extensive longitudinal analysis of the long-term effects of immunization on child health outcomes.
Furthermore, logistical issues, such as delays in obtaining permission from relevant health authorities or challenges in coordinating with local healthcare providers, also impacted the study's timeline and overall implementation.
Finally, while the study focused on Enugu State, the findings may not be directly applicable to other states in Nigeria or different regions with varying healthcare infrastructures, making generalization of the results somewhat limited.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Immunization:
Immunization refers to the process of administering vaccines to individuals to protect them from specific diseases. In the context of children, it is the procedure by which vaccines are given to infants and young children to prevent serious and often life-threatening diseases like polio, measles, and pneumonia (World Health Organization, 2020). Immunization is widely regarded as one of the most effective public health strategies for reducing childhood mortality and morbidity.
Vaccination:
Vaccination is the act of giving a vaccine, which is a substance that stimulates the body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens. It helps in the prevention of diseases by introducing a weakened or inactive form of the disease-causing organism to the body, allowing the immune system to develop immunity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).
Childhood Immunization Schedule:
The childhood immunization schedule is a timeline provided by health authorities that outlines the recommended vaccines for children from birth to five years of age. This schedule ensures that children receive vaccines at appropriate ages to protect them from various infectious diseases. The schedule is set to ensure timely vaccination, providing immunity before children are exposed to potentially harmful infections (UNICEF, 2020).
Vaccination Coverage:
Vaccination coverage refers to the percentage of children in a given population who have received all the necessary vaccines in the prescribed schedule. High vaccination coverage is critical for achieving herd immunity, where a large enough proportion of the population is immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely (World Health Organization, 2020).
Immunization Hesitancy:
Immunization hesitancy is the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services. It is influenced by factors such as cultural beliefs, misinformation, fear of side effects, and distrust in healthcare systems. Addressing immunization hesitancy is crucial to improving vaccine coverage and protecting public health (MacDonald et al., 2015).
Vaccine-preventable Diseases (VPDs):
Vaccine-preventable diseases are infections that can be prevented by vaccines. Examples of VPDs include measles, whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. These diseases can cause severe health complications and even death, especially in children under five, but are preventable through timely immunization (World Health Organization, 2020).
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