Peer-reviewed article
High Coverage, Hidden Inequities: Factors Associated With Incomplete Vaccination Among Orang Asli Children in Peninsular Malaysia.
S Maria Awaluddin, Nor'Ain Abd Wahab, Norliza Shamsuddin, Nurul Haniyah Rosslan, Muhammad Azri Adam Adnan et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined vaccination coverage among Orang Asli children aged 12 to 59 months in Peninsular Malaysia using data from a 2022 health survey. Overall, 87.7% of children had complete vaccination, but significant inequities were found across different tribal groups and geographic areas. Younger children and those from the Negrito tribe had higher rates of incomplete vaccination. The findings highlight that while national vaccination coverage appears high, vulnerable indigenous populations face barriers to complete immunization.
Key points
- Overall complete vaccination prevalence was 87.7% among Orang Asli children aged 12-59 months
- Negrito tribal affiliation was strongly associated with incomplete vaccination (adjusted odds ratio 3.31)
- Younger age was associated with incomplete vaccination; each additional month of age reduced odds of incomplete vaccination by 13%
- Incomplete vaccination was more common among children from the Negrito tribe and those in urban and remote areas
- The study recommends culturally appropriate strategies and engagement with tribal leaders to improve vaccination equity
Limitations
This cross-sectional study cannot establish causal relationships between identified factors and incomplete vaccination. The findings apply only to Orang Asli populations in Peninsular Malaysia and may not reflect other indigenous or marginalized groups elsewhere.
Abstract
Childhood vaccination is a vital public health measure to prevent infectious diseases and reduce mortality among children under five. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of primary vaccination and identify factors associated with incomplete vaccination among Orang Asli children aged 12 to 59 months in Peninsular Malaysia. Data were derived from the 2022 Orang Asli Health Survey, a cross-sectional study using a complex multistage sampling design with structured questionnaires and verified immunization records. The overall prevalence of complete vaccination was 87.7%, with incomplete vaccination more common among younger children, those from the Negrito tribe, and those residing in urban and remote areas. Multivariable logistic regression showed that Negrito tribal affiliation (aOR = 3.31; 95% CI: [1.80, 6.09]) was associated with higher odds of incomplete vaccination, while older age was protective, reducing the odds with each additional month (aOR = 0.87; 95% CI: [0.84, 0.90]). The presence of respiratory symptoms was also protective, likely reflecting increased health care contact facilitating vaccination review (aOR = 0.02; 95% CI: [0.00, 0.28]). Targeted, culturally appropriate strategies, including engagement with tribal leaders and outreach, are essential to improve vaccination equity in these populations.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Standard childhood vaccination program (routine immunization services)
- Population
- Orang Asli children aged 12 to 59 months in Peninsular Malaysia
Key finding
Complete vaccination prevalence was 87.7% overall
Awaluddin et al. · PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) · 2 Apr 2026