International Journal of Public Health
Volume 64, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 313-322

Childhood vaccination in Kenya: socioeconomic determinants and disparities among the Somali ethnic community (Article) (Open Access)

Masters N.B.* , Wagner A.L. , Carlson B.F. , Muuo S.W. , Mutua M.K. , Boulton M.L.
  • a Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
  • b Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
  • c Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
  • d African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
  • e African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
  • f Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Abstract

Objectives: Kenya has a significant refugee population, including large numbers of Somali migrants. This study examines the vaccination status of Kenyan children and sociodemographic predictors of vaccination, including Somali ethnicity. Methods: Using the 2014 Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey, we calculated the proportion of non-vaccinated, under-vaccinated, and fully vaccinated children, defining full vaccination as one dose Bacille Calmette-Guerin, three doses polio, three doses pentavalent, and one dose measles. We assessed associations among various factors and vaccination status using multinomial logistic regression and explored the effect of Somali ethnicity through interaction analysis. Results: The study sample comprised 4052 children aged 12–23 months, with 79.4% fully, 19.0% under-, and 1.6% non-vaccinated. Among Somalis, 61.9% were fully, 28.7% under-, and 9.4% non-vaccinated. Somalis had significantly greater odds of under- and non-vaccination than the Kikuyu ethnic group. Wealth and birth setting were associated with immunization status for Somalis and non-Somalis. Conclusions: Disparities persist in pediatric vaccinations in Kenya, with Somali children more likely than non-Somalis to be under-vaccinated. Health inequalities among migrants and ethnic communities in Kenya should be addressed. © 2018, Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+).

Author Keywords

Somali health disparities Vaccination coverage Pediatric vaccination Kenya Migrant health

Index Keywords

demography Sampling Studies human epidemiology Ethnic Groups statistics and numerical data ethnic group Logistic Models Health Surveys Kenya ethnology Humans male female Socioeconomic Factors Infant preventive health service socioeconomics migration Somalia patient attitude vaccination coverage Patient Acceptance of Health Care statistical model Immunization Programs Transients and Migrants vaccination health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058155405&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-018-1187-2&partnerID=40&md5=4ba34502e962124eaf7b0d4d45032dc6
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1187-2
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English