title: Childhood vaccination in rural southwestern Ethiopia: the nexus with demographic factors and women's autonomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vaccination can reduce child mortality significantly and is a cost effective way to improve child health.Worldwide, more than 22 million children do not receive the basic recommended vaccinations.Vaccination coverage in Ethiopia remains low. Research on child health has focused on socio-economic factors such as maternal education and access to health care, but little attention has been given to demographic factors and women's autonomy within the household. The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of demographic factors and women's autonomy on the completion of childhood vaccination in rural Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in a Health and Demographic Survelliance System (HDSS) in southwestern Ethiopia. Data were drawn from a random sample of women with children aged 12-24 months (n = 889). Information on maternal socio-demographic characteristics and household variables were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Vaccination data were obtained from vaccination cards or mother's recall. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association of independent variables with completion of childhood vaccination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 889 children aged 12-24 months, 690 (78%) had received at least one vaccination. Only 37% (95% CI, 33.5-39.9) were fully vaccinated. Women's decision making autonomy, number of under-five children in the household, mother's education, use of antenatal care services and proximity to health facility were the main factors associated with full vaccination status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Completion of basic vaccination series is very low in the study area. Initiatives that enhance women's autonomy within the household and that promote healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies may help in improving child health through vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population & Family Health, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Yohannes Dibaba
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Wado
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Mesganaw Fantahun
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Afework
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hindin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Vaccination; antenatal care; immunization; pregnancy intention; women’s autonomy