Africa Knowledge Hub for Children

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex25 Jun 2023

GENDER INEQUALITY AND GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION ENROLMENT INTO FORMAL SCHOOLING: A SITUATION ANALYSIS IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

The paper was extracted from an institutional based research report on gender sensitive situation analysis on gender and girl-child access to education in Sokoto State. The paper assessed Gender Inequality and Girl-child Education Enrolment into formal schooling in Sokoto State. Gender inequality rooted in the preferential treatment and enrolment of males over females was visibly observed and established in Sokoto State. The causes of such inequality were found to be varied and are classified into socio-cultural, economic, and institutional. The study provided answer on the causes of gender inequality in education enrolment in Sokoto State. The study employed a mixed research methodology using quantitative and qualitative methods in generating data for the study. 1,283 Questionnaires were distributed to relevant stakeholders while 12 In-depth Interviews and Key Informant Interviews were conducted with officials of the Agency for Female Education, and the Ministry of Education as well as with the officials of the selected schools and Focus Group Discussions conducted with female adolescents. A purposive sampling procedure was adopted in the selection of respondents. Qualitative findings from the study were analyzed thematically while the quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Based on the findings, the study discovered that certain socio-cultural factors hinder female education which includes culture, religious misinterpretations, preference for early marriage and the perceived outcome of the educational and economic labor force as it relates to the employment vacuum created. The study recommended huge financial support to females who complete tertiary education while getting married.

Muddassir Ahmad Gado, Prof. Muhammad T. Dansabo, Muktar Bashir

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex1 Jan 2018

Shattered dreams of the girl-child : exploring the root causes and consequences of girl-child marriage in Ghana with a special focus on the implications for regional and national development

Child marriage (CM) is understood to indicate marriages under the age of 18.Although it affects both boys and girls, it is predominantly girls that are married off at a young age and suffer more serious consequences.According to the UN, 37,000 girls under the age of 18 are married each day.This thesis is solely focused on the girl-child marriage, which is a global phenomenon.Child marriage ends a girl's childhood dreams of becoming a doctor or any other profession, it curtails her education, minimizes her economic opportunities and increases the risk of domestic violence.On the national level, it hinders the accomplishment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).The objective of this thesis is to examine the causes of child marriage and its effects on the regional and national development of Ghana.The main causes of this practice are poverty and inequality or patriarchal norms and the consequences are that the dreams of girls come to an abrupt end due to CM and this, in turn, perpetuates the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment of Ghana on regional as well as national levels, as it impacts the country socially and financially in a negative way and derails its social and economic growth.As a result, the government of Ghana has taken a stand in ending child marriages even though it means interfering with tribal laws of societies.At the same time, a great deal of educational and policy work remains to be done to address this problem.

Eunice Yidana

DevelopmentProtectionGHRead at source

OtherOpenAlex16 Mar 2023

Childhood Hepatitis B Immunization Coverage and Barriers in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea: Analysis of National Surveys (2018-2020)

ABSTRACT Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is effective at preventing mother-to-child transmission. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are hyperendemic West African countries; yet childhood immunization coverage is suboptimal and barriers to immunization are poorly understood. We analyzed national survey data (2018-2020) of children aged 4-35 months to assess full HBV immunization (receiving 3 doses of the pentavalent vaccine) and incomplete immunization (receiving < 3 doses). Statistical analysis was conducted using the complex sample command in SPSS (version 28). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify determinants of incomplete immunization. Overall, 11181 mothers were analyzed (4846 from Sierra Leone, 2788 from Liberia and 3547 from Guinea). Sierra Leone had the highest HBV childhood immunization coverage (70.3%), followed by Liberia (64.5%) and Guinea (40.0%). Within countries, immunization coverage varied by sociodemographic characteristics (education, religion, household wealth index, access to mass media) and healthcare access (antenatal visits, place of delivery and health facility proximity). In multivariate regression analysis, Muslim mothers, lower household wealth index, < 4 antenatal visits, home delivery and distance to health facility were predictors of incomplete immunization (all p < 0.05). Addressing these socioeconomic and healthcare access barriers will be essential to help achieve the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination goals.

George A. Yendewa, Peter James, Amir M. Mohareb et al.

SurvivalDevelopmentSLLRGNRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex23 Jun 2020

Implementing newborn screening for sickle cell disease as part of immunisation programmes in Nigeria: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where it accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Newborn screening is paramount for early diagnosis and enrolment of affected children into a comprehensive care programme. Up to now, this strategy has been greatly impaired in resource-poor countries, because screening methods are technologically and financially intensive; affordable, reliable, and accurate methods are needed. We aimed to test the feasibility of implementing a sickle cell disease screening programme using innovative point-of-care test devices into existing immunisation programmes in primary health-care settings. METHODS: Building on a routine immunisation programme and using existing facilities and staff, we did a prospective feasibility study at five primary health-care centres within Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. We systematically screened for sickle cell disease consecutive newborn babies and infants younger than 9 months who presented to immunisation clinics at these five centres, using an ELISA-based point-of care test (HemoTypeSC). A subgroup of consecutive babies who presented to immunisation clinics at the primary health-care centres, whose mothers gave consent, were tested by the HemoTypeSC point-of-care test alongside a different immunoassay-based point-of-care test (SickleSCAN) and the gold standard test, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). FINDINGS: Between July 14, 2017, and Sept 3, 2019, 3603 newborn babies and infants who presented for immunisation were screened for sickle cell disease at five primary health-care centres using the ELISA-based point-of-care test. We identified 51 (1%) children with sickle cell anaemia (HbSS), four (<1%) heterozygous for HbS and HbC (HbSC), 740 (21%) with sickle cell trait (HbAS), 34 (1%) heterozygous for HbA and HbC (HbAC), and 2774 (77%) with normal haemoglobin (HbAA). Of the 55 babies and infants with confirmed sickle cell disease, 41 (75%) were enrolled into a programme for free folic acid and penicillin, of whom 36 (88%) completed three visits over 9 months (median follow-up 226 days [IQR 198-357]). The head-to-head comparison between the two point-of-care tests and HPLC showed concordance between the three testing methods in screening 313 newborn babies, with a specificity of 100% with HemoTypeSC, 100% with SickleSCAN, and 100% by HPLC, and a sensitivity of 100% with HemoTypeSC, 100% with SickleSCAN, and 100% by HPLC. INTERPRETATION: Our pilot study shows that the integration of newborn screening into existing primary health-care immunisation programmes is feasible and can rapidly be implemented with limited resources. Point-of-care tests are reliable and accurate in newborn screening for sickle cell disease. This feasibility study bodes well for the care of patients with sickle cell disease in resource-poor countries. FUNDING: Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Imperial College London Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research, and Richard and Susan Kiphart Family Foundation.

Obiageli Eunice Nnodu, Alayo Sopekan, Uche Nnebe‐Agumadu et al.

SurvivalNGRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex1 Apr 2019

Automated phone call and text reminders for childhood immunisations (PRIMM): a randomised controlled trial in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa has high under-5 mortality and low childhood immunisation rates. Vaccine-preventable diseases cause one-third of under-5 deaths. Text messaging reminders improve immunisation completion in urban but not rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Low adult literacy may account for this difference. The feasibility and impact of combined automated voice and text reminders on immunisation completion in rural sub-Saharan Africa is unknown. METHODS: We randomised parturient women at the Mother and Child Hospitals Ondo State, Nigeria, owning a mobile phone and planning for child immunisation at these study sites to receive automated call and text immunisation reminders or standard care. We assessed the completion of the third pentavalent vaccine (Penta-3) at 18 weeks of age, immunisation completion at 12 months and within 1 week of recommended dates. We assessed selected demographic characteristics associated with completing immunisations at 12 months using a generalised binomial linear model with 'log' link function. Feasibility was assessed as proportion of reminders received. RESULTS: Each group had 300 mother-baby dyads with similar demographic characteristics. At 18 weeks, 257 (86%) and 244 (81%) (risk ratio (RR) 1.05, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.13; p=0.15) in the intervention and control groups received Penta-3 vaccine. At 12 months, 220 (74%) and 196 (66%) (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.25; p=0.04) in the intervention and control groups received the measles vaccine. Infants in the intervention group were more likely to receive Penta-3 (84% vs 78%, RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17; p=0.04), measles (73% vs 65%, RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26; p=0.02) and all scheduled immunisations collectively (57% vs 47%, RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26; p=0.01) within 1 week of the recommended date. No demographic character predicted immunisation completion. In the intervention group, 92% and 86% reported receiving a verification reminder and at least one reminder during the study period, respectively. CONCLUSION: Paired automated call and text reminders significantly improved immunisation completion and timeliness. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02819895.

Osayame A. Ekhaguere, Rosena Olubanke Oluwafemi, Bolaji O. Badejoko et al.

SurvivalDevelopmentNGRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex11 Dec 2025

CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION COVERAGE AMONG HEALTH FACILITY ATTENDEES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA: DID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE ANY IMPACT?

Background: Despite efforts, under-five immunisation coverage varies widely within and outside Nigeria, highlighting the need for regular data reviews to guide improvements. Methods: This review analysed data from 534 health facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria, from January 2019 to December 2023, presenting findings in tables and charts. Results: Coverage for BCG decreased from 91.3% in 2019 to 71.1% in 2023 and was lowest in 2021. OPV coverage also declined, with OPV0 dropping from 59.1% to 46.6% and OPV3 from 91.7% to 71%. Coverage for 3 doses of Pneumococcal, Pentavalent, and Measles vaccines declined, and full immunisation dropped from 62.7% to 42.8%. Conclusions: Despite not reaching global and national targets, immunisation rates declined during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted access to health services. Efforts such as awareness campaigns, training, and logistics management were employed to mitigate disruptions. The data underscores the need for strategies to improve vaccine coverage and reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from preventable diseases.

C. T. Atata, Janny Ikurayeke, Jaja, Ishmael et al.

SurvivalNGRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex15 Jun 2025

Social Context of Childhood Immunisation Services Utilisation in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Failure of parents or care givers to effectively support under-five children to receive all recommended doses of vaccines against childhood killer diseases in Nigeria remains one of the major causes of under-fives mortality in the country. This study examined the utilisation of childhood immunisation services in Zamfara State. It also examined the relationship between uptake of childhood immunisation services and place of residence as well as religious background. The study’s quantitative data (from primary and secondary sources) were based on Anderson’s Health Seeking Behaviour Model’s theoretical framework. Using a Multistage Cluster Sampling technique, 384 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to mothers with children under five. Version 21 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilised to analyse the data. The study discovered that with exception of BCG vaccine that is given at birth, none of the vaccine doses received by up to 60% of under-five children in Zamfara State. The findings also established that children were more likely to receive first doses of vaccines compared to the subsequent ones. It was also found that utilisation of childhood immunisation was not significantly related to place of residence and religious background. It is recommended that government should carry out mobilisation campaigns enlightening parents and the general public on the appropriate times of child immunisation, recommended doses of vaccines that under-fives should receive as well as advantages children who receive all the recommended doses have over those who did not.

Kabiru Ibrahim Yankuzo

SurvivalNGRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex19 Aug 2021

Demographic and health surveys showed widening trends in polio immunisation inequalities in Guinea

AIM: This study examined trends in absolute and relative socio-economic, gender and geographical inequalities in the coverage of polio immunisation in Guinea, West Africa, from 1999 to 2016. METHODS: Data from the 1999, 2005 and 2012 Guinea Demographic and Health Survey and the 2016 Guinea Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey were analysed using the World Health Organization's health equity assessment toolkit. We disaggregated polio immunisation coverage using five equity stratifiers: household economic status, maternal educational level, place of residence, child's gender and region. The four summary measures used were the difference, ratio, population attributable risk and population attributable fraction. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was constructed around point estimates to measure statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 4778 1-year-old children were included. Polio immunisation coverage in 1999, 2005, 2012 and 2016 were 43.4%, 50.7%, 51.2% and 38.6%, respectively. Socio-economic and geographical inequalities in polio immunisation favoured children with educated mothers who came from richer families living in urban areas. There were also differences in the eight regions over the 1999-2016 study period. CONCLUSION: Targeting children from disadvantaged subgroups must be prioritised to ensure equitable immunisation services that help to eradicate polio in Guinea.

Betregiorgis Zegeye, Ziad El‐Khatib, Olanrewaju Oladimeji et al.

SurvivalDevelopmentGNRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex23 Aug 2023

An Impact Study of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Paediatric Immunisation in Nigeria: Recommendations to Strengthen Routine Immunization during a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic spread to Nigeria, resulting in a nationwide lockdown from 30th March 2020. Consequently, there was enormous impact on the health and socio-economic facets of life affecting individuals, families, and communities. A key component of primary health care that was affected was routine childhood immunisation which is one of the fundamental pillars of the Nigerian government’s child health care policy. The study aimed at evaluating the impact of the pandemic on routine immunization, as well as, make recommendations to strengthen routine immunization during a pandemic based on lessons learnt. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 150 parents or caregivers across the childcare and wellness clinics of four selected secondary health facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from January to June 2020 (January to March representing the pre-lockdown period while April to June, the lockdown period). Secondary data were collected from immunisation records of these facilities. The mean changes in the immunisation coverage of pre-lockdown period were compared with the lockdown period using student t-test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was a significant decline of 19.1% in the total number of immunizations given in the pre- and during the lockdown period [t=2.86, p=0.035]. This reduction was diverse across all districts and all vaccine antigens. The highest decline was seen for the 6 weeks’ vaccines (31.2%), followed by the 10 weeks (28.7%). Fear of contracting COVID was the commonest reason for missing vaccines (26.4%) followed by lack of transportation money (5.7%). For those that presented, the main reason for not getting vaccinated was that the vaccination centres were closed (55.6%). About 46.9% and 34.5% of the participants responded that they would prefer home-visits by the healthcare workers and hospital ‘drive-by’ for delivery of routine vaccination during a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the routine immunisation in the FCT. Routine immunisation services should continue during pandemics while health promotion should be continued by the government, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. Also pivotal is to ensure that healthcare workers have adequate training regarding infection, prevention and control measures, and vaccine logistics, while adhering to strict standard protocols. Appointment-based visits can be scheduled using phone calls, emails, and SMS to have less people in waiting areas. Drive-by and home-based services are acceptable alternatives for parents and caregivers in addition to fixed-site vaccination activities during a pandemic.

Ifeyinwa Amamilo, Ndidi Nkemjika Iloduba, Ikhenoba Asunumeh et al.

SurvivalNGRead at source

Peer-reviewed articleOpenAlex1 Aug 2024

Factors contributing to immunization coverage among children less than 5 years in Nadowli-Kaleo District of Upper West Region, Ghana

Immunization prevents deaths from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and measles in about 2.5 million children each year worldwide. Failure to vaccinate children in the required timeframe could result in disease outbreaks among them and increase costs of living among the populations directly affected. Even though Ghana has set 95% as the target for immunization coverage, the Nadowli-Kaleo district has been below this national target. This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing low immunization coverage among children under five years in the Nadowli-Kaleo district, Ghana. An analytical cross-sectional study design was adopted for this study. Systematic sampling method was used to recruit the respondents. The data was collected using KoboCollect online data collection tool and analyzed using Stata Version 17.0. Chi-square test was used to establish the association between child's immunization status and the independent variables. Logistic regression was used to determine the degree of association. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Fully immunized status among children under-five was a little above average (55.4%). Mother's or caregiver's age, marital status, occupation, and current child's birth order were significantly associated with children full immunization. Also, number of ANC visits, delivery location, and distance to health facility were significantly associated with children full immunization. A child delivered at the health facility had higher chance of 2.12 times to be fully immunized than giving birth at home [AOR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.14-3.94, and p-value = 0.017]. The health system related factors which were statistically associated with child full immunization included time spent during immunization service and being informed when to come for the next vaccination visit. Coverage for children with fully immunized status was not very encouraging at our study site. We recommend expansion of access to maternal and child health services, encouraging institutional childbirth, and timely regular antenatal visits.

Alice Kuuyi, Robert Kogi

SurvivalGHRead at source

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GENDER INEQUALITY AND GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION ENROLMENT INTO FORMAL SCHOOLING: A SITUATION ANALYSIS IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Shattered dreams of the girl-child : exploring the root causes and consequences of girl-child marriage in Ghana with a special focus on the implications for regional and national development

Childhood Hepatitis B Immunization Coverage and Barriers in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea: Analysis of National Surveys (2018-2020)

Implementing newborn screening for sickle cell disease as part of immunisation programmes in Nigeria: a feasibility study

Automated phone call and text reminders for childhood immunisations (PRIMM): a randomised controlled trial in Nigeria

CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION COVERAGE AMONG HEALTH FACILITY ATTENDEES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA: DID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE ANY IMPACT?

Social Context of Childhood Immunisation Services Utilisation in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Demographic and health surveys showed widening trends in polio immunisation inequalities in Guinea

An Impact Study of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Paediatric Immunisation in Nigeria: Recommendations to Strengthen Routine Immunization during a Pandemic

Factors contributing to immunization coverage among children less than 5 years in Nadowli-Kaleo District of Upper West Region, Ghana

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