DETERMINANTS OF UPTAKE OF TETANUS TOXOID VACCINE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN A SELECTED COMMUNITY IN FUNAKAYE LGA, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Mohammed A.*, Usman R. A., Difa A. J., Danimoh A. M. and Envuladu E. A.

ABSTRACT

Vaccinating women of reproductive age with TT is a targeted intervention which aims to reduce TT among at risk population. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and uptake of TT vaccine and the factors affecting uptake of TT vaccine among women of reproductive age in Funakaye LGA, Gombe State. It was a cross sectional study in which information was obtained form 273 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two-thirds (62.6%) of the respondents were found to have poor knowledge on TT vaccine and more than two-thirds (75.8%) were found to have poor uptake on TT vaccine. Majority have heard of TT vaccine (97.1%) and have ever received at least one dose of TT vaccine (88.6%) in their previous preganacies. Less than half of the respondents (24%) had their last pregnancy protected against Neonatal Tetanus (NNT). Respondents with good knowledge on TT had 23 times more odds of taking TT vaccine compared to those with poor knowledge. The study concluded that improving the knowledge on TT will play a significant role in improving uptake, as such more targeted health education should be provided to women of reproductive age in order to improve uptake of TT vaccine.

Keywords: knowledge, uptake, TT vaccination, women of reproductive age.