Maternal healthcare utilsation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study of 29 nationally representative surveys.
Eugene BuduBright Opoku AhinkorahRichard Gyan AboagyeEbenezer Kwesi Armah-AnsahAbdul-Aziz SeiduCollins AduEdward Kwabena AmeyawOlumuyiwa OmonaiyePublished in: BMJ open (2021)
The study found significant variations in complete childhood vaccination across countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal healthcare utilisation (ANC visits, skilled birth delivery, PNC attendance) had significant association with complete childhood vaccination. These findings suggest that programmes, interventions and strategies aimed at improving vaccination should incorporate interventions that can enhance maternal healthcare utilisation. Such interventions can include education and sensitisation, reducing cost of maternal healthcare and encouraging male involvement in maternal healthcare service utilisation.