KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF MOTHERS TOWARD THE IMMUNIZATION OF CHILDREN 0-5YEARS OF AGE IN CHILD WELFARE CLINIC, FAITH MEDIPLEX HOSPITAL, BENIN-CITY, EDO STATE.

Abstract The study was conducted to investigate factors influencing the attitude of mothers towards immunization in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. The cross sectional design survey was used for the study. The population for the study consisted of 10,637 mothers from households who were of Lapai LGA in Niger State. Three hundred and Thirty (330) mothers were drawn using multi – stage sampling procedure involving three stages. The instrument for data collection was self structured questionnaire which comprised of 15 items that investigated factors influencing the attitude of mothers towards immunization. Six research questions were posed and four hypotheses tested. Data were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation and t-test. The findings revealed that: The overall attitude of mothers towards immunization of their children was positive (X=2.55). The mothers regularly practiced immunization of their children (X=2.55). The mothers differed in their attitude towards immunization of their children based on age (Younger = X of 2.60; Older = X of 2.45). The different was significant at .05 level (t-cal = 2.3; t-crit=1.96). The mothers differs in their attitude toward immunization of their children based on level of education (Educated = X of 2.60; Not – educated = X of 2.44). The different was significant at .05 level (t-cal 2.60; t-crit = 1.96). The mothers were not different in their practice of immunization of their children based on their age (Younger = X of 2.45; Older = X of 2.38). The different was not significant at .05 level (t-cal 0.76; t-crit = 1.96). The mother differed in their practice of immunization of their children based on level of education (Educated = X of 2.56; Not – educated = X of 2.22). The difference was significant at .05 level (t-cal = 3.81; t-crit=1.96). Based on the findings of the present study, it was recommended that public health education messages should include the causes, risk factor, transmission/spread, preventative strategies, side effects and contraindications to immunization.