Effect of Gender Preference for Healthcare Services Providers by Caregivers on Immunization Coverage in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria
Abstract:
The study examines the effect of
gender preference for healthcare services providers by caregivers (parents and
guardians) on immunization coverage in Zamfara state, Northern Nigeria. Primary
data was collected from 200 caregivers from Kaura Namoda, Bakura and Gusau
local government areas of the state using a semi-structured questionnaire
administered by the interviewers. The data was analyzed using descriptive
statistical tools and Binary Logistic regression models. The variables include
preference for male healthcare providers, preference for female healthcare
providers, and immunization coverage. The descriptive result shows that about
198 (99%) of the 200 caregivers preferred female healthcare providers, and only
2 (1%) are indifferent which means they have no particular gender preference.
Results from Binary Logistic regression reveal a positive relationship between
female healthcare providers and a potential increase of childhood immunization
coverage and a negative relationship between male healthcare providers and a
potential increase of childhood immunization coverage in those communities. In
conclusion, to increase immunization coverage in Zamfara State, female
healthcare providers should be prioritized over male healthcare providers.
References:
[1]. Ejemai, Saye and Fiammelta, 2022, Gender Inequality and
Childhood Immunization in Nigeria. Working paper: Link: Ejemai%2C+Saye+and+Fiammelta+%282022%29%2C&sca_esv=594946161&sxsrf=AM9HkKl3T5rwSHLM5&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
[2]. Cecilia Vidal Fuertes, Nicole E. Johns, Tracey S. Goodman, Shirin
Heidari, Jean Munro, and Ahmad Reza Hossein poor, 2022, The Association between Childhood Immunization
and Gender Inequality: A Multi-Country Ecological Analysis of Zero-Dose DTP
Prevalence and DTP3 Immunization Coverage: Vaccines Basel. 2022 Jul;
10(7): 1032. Published online 2022 Jun 27. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10071032.
[3]. Orif., 2022 Office
of International Religious Freedom, 2021 Report on International Religious
Freedom: Nigeria: https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/nigeria/
[4]. Vincent O. Nmehielle.,
2004, “Sharia Law in the Northern States of Nigeria: To Implement or Not to
Implement, the Constitutionality Is the Question’: Human
Rights Quarterly Vol. 26, No. 3 Aug, 2004, pp. 730-759 (30 pages) Published By:
The Johns Hopkins University Press.
[5].
Antai,
D., 2009. Inequitable childhood immunization uptake in Nigeria: A multilevel
analysis of individual and contextual determinants. BMC Infectious Diseases,
9, 181.doi.org/101186/1471-2334-9-181.
[6]. Gidado, S., Nguku, P., Biya, O., Waziri, N. E., Mohammed, A., Nsubuga, P., & Sabitu, K., 2014. Determinants of routine immunization coverage in Bungudu, Zamfara state, northern Nigeria. The Pan African Medical Journal, 18(1).
[7]. Galadima, A. N., Zulkefli, N. A. M., Said S. M., Ahmad, N., Factors influencing childhood immunisation uptake in Africa: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2021, 21:1475. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11466-5, PMID: [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
[8].
Dauda Milgwe Madubu., Sociodemographic Factors Associated with
Childhood Vaccination Status in Sokoto State, Nigeria, 2021.
[9]. Elizabeth, B., Adedire, Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Olufunmilayo. Fawole, Olufemi Ajumobi, Simon Kasasa, Peter Wasswa5* and Patrick Nguku., 2008, Immunisation coverage and its determinants among children aged 12-23 months in Atakumosa-west district, Osun State Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.
[10]. Abdulraheem, I., Onajole, A., Jimoh, A., Oladipo, A., 2011. Reasons for incomplete vaccination and factors for missed opportunities among rural Nigerian children. J. Public Health Epidemiol. 3, 194–203.
[11]. World Health Organisation, UNICEF. Progress and challenges with achieving universal immunization coverage, 2017.
[12]. WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage Data as of July 2018. Geneva: World Health Organisation, 2018.
