IMMUNIZATION DETERMINANTS IN THE EASTERN REGION OF GHANA

A study of the immunization determinants of children aged 12 to 18 mon ths was conducted in 1991 in the Eastern Region of Ghana, using struct ured interviews of mothers and fathers. The completion of immunization schedules by one year, among the 294 children, was positively associa ted (P<0.005) with the town of residence of the child and mother, the ability of the mother to speak English, the target child having been t reated for illness at the local hospital, the child's mother having gi ven birth to less than 5 children, the possession of a sewing machine by the mother, and the birth of the child in the current town of resid ence. Significantly higher immunization coverage levels were achieved where the Under Fives' Clinic was an affordable and acceptable service , integrating preventive and curative care, and where measures were im plemented by the community to increase attendance levels at the Clinic . This was achieved among a target group who were otherwise at a relat ively high risk of failing to complete immunization schedules on-time.