JOURNAL OF HUMAN KINETICS & HEALTH EDUCATION PEDAGOGY

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING IMMUNIZATION (AEFI) REPORTING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) can lower vaccine confidence if they are not adequately monitored and reported. However, nursing mothers’ status of awareness and knowledge about reporting is yet to be explored in most parts of Ekiti State. This study examined knowledge and practice of AEFI reporting among nursing mothers. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1,200 nursing mothers which were randomly selected using multistage sampling procedure from among those visiting immunization clinics in 12 primary health facilities located in Ekiti State. Data were collected through a structured pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the research questions Findings of this study revealed that majority of the mothers (60.7%) are aware that they are to report adverse events following immunization noticed in their babies by going back to the health facility. Also, 59.2% of the respondents reported that they often take their babies back to the health facility whenever there is vaccine reaction. Pain on injection and swelling on injection site (mean=2.57) were most frequently reported AEFI. Only 28.4% of the mothers were aware of official reporting outlets, whereas 62.7% thought adverse events must be reported in an unofficial way to neighbors or family members. Also, it was further revealed that knowledge was a strong predictor of AEFI (β = 0.214, p < 0.05). It is therefore recommended that routine AEFI reporting education should be incorporated into primary health care services so as to enhance the knowledge and reporting practices of AEFI among nursing mothers.