FACTORS INFLUENCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Childhood immunization remains one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. However, immunization coverage in Yobe State, Nigeria, continues to be constrained by socioeconomic, health system, and contextual challenges. This study assessed the factors influencing the implementation of childhood immunization in Yobe State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted among 450 mothers and caregivers of children aged 0–5 years selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis at a 5% level of significance. The findings showed that respondents generally agreed that favourable factors influenced immunization implementation (grand mean = 2.94), with effective communication by health workers (mean = 3.10) and vaccine availability (mean = 3.08) ranking highest. Significant associations were observed between immunization status and educational level (χ² = 16.842, p = 0.010), monthly income (χ² = 12.564, p = 0.006), distance to health facilities (χ² = 19.438, p < 0.001), vaccine availability (χ² = 14.956, p = 0.002), and accessibility of services (χ² = 18.554, p < 0.001). Insecurity (65.3%), vaccine unavailability (62.0%), poor transportation (59.8%), and inadequate awareness of immunization schedules (58.0%) were the leading barriers. Overall, 60.0% of respondents demonstrated positive attitudes toward childhood immunization (grand mean = 3.04), and parental attitudes were significantly associated with immunization uptake (χ² = 18.993, p < 0.001). The study concludes that strengthening health systems, improving vaccine availability and accessibility, and addressing socioeconomic and security-related barriers are essential for improving childhood immunization coverage in Yobe State. It is recommended that the Yobe State Ministry of Health strengthen vaccine supply chains, recruit and deploy additional healthcare workers, and improve rural transportation and access to primary healthcare services.