Assessment of Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination Awareness and Uptake among Women of Reproductive Age in Kwara State, Nigeria

Aims: To assess Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccination uptake and dosage completion among women of reproductive age in Ilorin west Local Government area of Kwara state.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Ilorin west local government, kwara state between Nov 2015 and March 2016.

Methodology: The study involved women of reproductive age between 15-49 years in randomly selected in Ilorin west local government of Kwara state. The instrument was contracted to measure participants’ level of awareness of TT vaccine, uptake of the vaccine and level of completion of vaccine dosage. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.

Results: There were 377 women in this study. Majority of respondents (75.6%) were between the age of 26 and 35 years old and more than half (68.2%) were married with a proportion of 45.3% having had more than 3 children. Results from this study revealed a low level of awareness on the dosage of TT vaccine and this was reflected in the 0% uptake of TT4 and TT5 by respondents. Further analysis indicated a significant association between respondents awareness and TT vaccine completion at 82.8% ((F=1811.74; R Square=0.828; P < 0.05). it was also found that uptake of TT vaccine increases with the number of children had, however, non-married and respondents with no children had not started uptake of TT vaccine. Initiation age of TT vaccination among respondents was found to 21 years of age. Findings from this study revealed that respondents’ normative beliefs has a significant association with intention of getting Tetanus Toxoid vaccine (p < 0.05, R2 = 0.014). Results also revealed that there is a significant difference in awareness across the age, marital status and number of children (p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusion: From findings of this study, it is evident that uptake of TT vaccine is poor with 0% uptake of both TT4 and TT5 dosage as respondents stop uptake after child delivery, also, respondents younger than 21 years old have not commenced TT vaccination. It is hereby recommended that TT vaccination be initiated at the secondary school for females older than 15 years old to ensure completion of the vaccination and also increase awareness.