Peer-reviewed article
Socioeconomic and geographical inequalities in polio immunisation coverage among two-year-olds in Sierra Leone, 2008–2019
Augustus Osborne, Umaru Sesay, Alieu Tommy, Alpha Umaru Bai-Sesay, Camilla Bangura et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined polio immunisation coverage among two-year-olds in Sierra Leone from 2008 to 2019 using data from three rounds of the Demographic Health Survey. Coverage increased from 48.7% in 2008 to 77.1% in 2013, then declined to 61.2% in 2019. The main inequalities were geographic, with significant gaps between subnational regions, particularly in the Western, Northwestern, and Northern provinces. Surprisingly, maternal age, child sex, and maternal education were not major barriers to immunisation.
Key points
- Polio immunisation coverage among two-year-olds increased from 48.7% in 2008 to 77.1% in 2013, but then declined to 61.2% in 2019
- The main inequality identified was subnational, with significant gaps between provinces
- No significant inequalities were found based on maternal age, child sex, or maternal educational level
- Coverage was higher among children of mothers from the poorest households and in rural areas
- Geographic and socioeconomic contexts play a more pivotal role than traditional demographic factors in determining immunisation access
Limitations
The study examines only three time points (2008, 2013, 2019) which limits understanding of trends between these years. The data does not explain the underlying reasons for the decline in coverage after 2013 or identify specific barriers within underserved provinces.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polio, a debeilitating and potentially life-threatening disease, continues to pose a risk to young children globally. While vaccination offers a powerful shield, its reach is not always equal. This study explores socioeconomic and geographical inequalities in polio immunisation coverage among two-year-olds in Sierra Leone between 2008 and 2019. METHODS: The study utilised data from the Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey rounds conducted in 2008, 2013, and 2019 to examine polio immunization coverage among two-year-olds. The World Health Organisation Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software calculated various inequality measures, including simple difference, ratio, population-attributable risk, and population-attributable fraction. An inequality assessment was conducted for six stratifiers: maternal age, maternal economic status, maternal level of education, place of residence, sex of the child, and sub-national region. RESULTS: Polio immunization coverage among two-year-olds in Sierra Leone increased from 48.7% in 2008 to 77.1% in 2013, then declined to 61.2% in 2019. No significant inequalities were observed based on maternal age, child's sex or maternal educational level. Coverage was higher among children of mothers from the poorest households, and in rural areas. However, the main inequality identified was subnational inequality. CONCLUSION: The initial increase in coverage followed by a decline underscores the need for sustained efforts to maintain and improve immunization rates, particularly in the Western, Northwestern, and Northern provinces, where significant subnational inequalities exist. The absence of disparities related to maternal age, child sex, and education suggests that traditional demographic factors may not be the primary barriers to immunization; instead, geographic and socioeconomic contexts play a more pivotal role. This indicates that targeted interventions should focus on improving access to vaccination services in underserved areas, potentially through community outreach and mobile vaccination units. Additionally, the better coverage among children of poorer mothers and those in rural areas highlights the importance of understanding local dynamics and leveraging community strengths to enhance immunization uptake.