Title:
Immunisation Program in Zambia: Reaching the Hard to Reach
Authors:
Simwinga, Josephine Mayaka
Year:
2013
PAGE:
xi, 72
Language:
En
Keywords:
Immunisations, Sub Saharan Africa, Zambia, Barriers
Abstract:
Background: The Expanded programme on Immunisation (EPI) was introduced in Zambia in 1975, but there are challenges in the utilization of the services as evidenced by disparities in district and national coverage. The proportion of children, who are immunised with DPT3 and measles including those fully immunised, has varied over years. Understanding factors contributing to low coverage is important for the success of the immunisation program. This study examined factors influencing immunisation uptake using the Access to Health Care in the Context of livelihood Insecurity model. Setting: Zambia, in Southern Africa Methodology: Literature review of studies and national (Health Management Information system (HMIS) Results: Zambia’s immunisation coverage is facing a downward trend or is static in most districts since 2010. The major factors perceived as barriers were inadequate health services, inadequate trained staff, financial constraints, weak outreach programmes, bad scheduling of immunization sessions, poor communication, long distance to rural health centers (RHCs), geographical and seasonal challenges and low awareness levels on the importance of taking children for immunisation services among caretakers. Conclusion and recommendations: In recent years Zambia has faced challenges in sustaining high coverage. However, despite all these challenges, Zambia has demonstrated in the previous years that universal access to immunisation and high immunisation coverage is achievable, therefore strengthening existing interventions such as increasing community awareness, increasing political commitment and will, revitalising and intensifying outreach including introduction of mobile immunisation services can assist to achieve this goal. Increased investment to the immunization program in the form of funding, infrastructure, frontline health workers and cold chain equipment is critical to the Zambian situation in order to reverse the current low immunisation coverage trends.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development, Policy and Practice
Country:
Zambia
Region:
Southern Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (MPH/ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2013 Simwinga
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
I1t54YVd6e_20161103150211661.pdf