Peer-reviewed article
Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour and timely childhood vaccination among agricultural households in rural Nigeria
Mobolaji Victoria Adejoorin, Kabir Kayode Salman, Mutiat Bukola Salawu, Magbagbeola D. Dairo ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study looks at whether mothers who use maternal health services are more likely to have their children vaccinated on time. It uses 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data for 2,751 rural women with children under five in agricultural households. Mothers used maternal health services at a moderate level, and more than half of the children were unimmunised. Mothers' use of maternal health services was linked to better partial vaccination status for their children. The authors recommend expanding antenatal and vaccination services, including through community and market-based health centres, and involving men.
Key points
- The mean maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour index was 0.54, which the authors describe as moderate use of services.
- 55.83% of children were unimmunised.
- Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour and husband's education significantly improved partial vaccination status.
- Husband's education and mother's full-time employment in agriculture were associated with improved full vaccination status.
- The authors call for policies that promote maternal healthcare use, expand antenatal and vaccination services, and involve men.
Limitations
The study analyses existing cross-sectional survey data from 2018, so it shows associations and cannot firmly establish cause and effect. The abstract gives no effect sizes, and the findings apply only to rural agricultural households in Nigeria.
Abstract
Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour (MHSB) is a key determinant of childhood vaccination rates. In rural Nigeria, MHSB remains low and has been associated with poor maternal and child health outcomes. However, empirical evidence linking MHSB to timely childhood immunisation, particularly among agricultural households in rural Nigeria, is limited. This study therefore examined the effect of maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour on timely childhood vaccination among agricultural households in rural Nigeria. The study utilised secondary data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Information on vaccines received by children, prenatal care, timing of first antenatal visit, number of antenatal visits, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care was extracted for 2,751 rural women with under-five children in agricultural households. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to generate the MHSB index, and an extended ordered probit model. The findings show that women in agricultural households in rural Nigeria moderately utilise maternal healthcare services, with a mean MHSB index of 0.54, while 55.83% of children were unimmunised. Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour and husband’s education significantly improved partial vaccination status, while husband’s education and mother’s full-time employment in agriculture were associated with improved full vaccination status in children. Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour positively influences child immunisation status among agricultural households in rural Nigeria. Strengthening policies that promote maternal healthcare utilisation and expanding access to antenatal and vaccination services particularly through community and market-based health centres and male involvement are essential to improving vaccination coverage in rural Nigeria.