Abstract

Introduction:Vaccination represents one of the most popular and widely used approaches to prevention, a ma jor pillar of public health. The main objective of our study was to assess vaccination coverage and determine the factors associated with non-vaccination among children aged 9 months to 5 years in the private sector in Gabon.

Methodology: This prospective and descriptive study was conducted from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023 (1 year) and targeted all children aged 9 months to 5 years seen in consultation at the pediatrics depart ment of the Ayile medical-surgical polyclinic in Port Gentil, Gabon.

Results: We identified 176 children. The lowest age of the patients was 3.3 years ± 1.5 years, with the 3-5 year age group being the most represented at 60.2%. 88.1% of the children were brought by their mothers, and 52.3% of the accompanying adults had a low level of education. Regarding Expanded Program on Im munization (EPI) vaccination coverage, children with zero doses represented 3.4%, while the proportion of children who had received at least 3 doses of Penta and Polio was 92% and 77.8%, respectively. For BCG, measles, and yellow fever, the proportion of children who had received at least one dose was 96.6%, 82.4%, and 77.8%, respectively. The significant factors of non-vaccination were: lack of information with 56.3% (P = 0.001), forgetting appointments, i.e. 31.8% (P= 0.001) and low level of education of accompanying persons, 52.3% (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: The significant factors of non-vaccination identified were lack of information, missed appoint ments, and low level of education of accompanying persons.

doi.org/10.63721/25JPMIDT0119

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