Vaccination
How complete is infant vaccination in three West African DHS surveys?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
Among 5,368 infants 0–12 months in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, only about 15% were fully vaccinated; postnatal care raised odds, while limited ANC, no TV, and father’s primary education lowered them.
Study at a glance
- Design
- Cross-sectional — Pooled 2019–20 DHS from The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia; multivariable logistic regression of full vaccination
- N
- N=5368 · Weighted sample of 5,368 children aged 0–12 months
- Population
- Infants 0–12 months in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia (DHS)
- Outcome
- Full childhood vaccination (BCG, 3× pentavalent, 3× polio, measles) and its correlates
Structured fields used in claim comparison tables when every cited study has a complete layer.
Key findings
Full vaccination was 15.1% in males and 15.0% in females (urban 15.8% vs rural 14.3%). PNC visits: aOR 1.23 (1.03–1.46). Lower odds: father’s primary education aOR 0.67, household never watched TV aOR 0.68, mother 1–3 ANC visits aOR 0.59.
Methodology
Pooled 2019–20 DHS datasets (stratified two-stage cluster samples) for 5,368 weighted children 0–12 months and ran multivariable logistic models of full vs partial vaccination.
Limitations
Cross-sectional DHS cannot prove PNC causes vaccination; 0–12-month infants may still be age-ineligible for measles, and ‘full’ status mixes countries with different schedules.
How this study connects
Role on claims
Each row is a claim on a concept or method page where this paper supports, challenges, or qualifies the statement. Roles are hand-checked — not a model guess.
In three West African DHS samples, full infant vaccination was about 15% and tracked care access more than child sex.
Pooled 2019–20 DHS data for 5,368 children aged 0–12 months in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia found full vaccination ~15.1% (males) and ~15.0% (females). Postnatal-care visits associated with higher odds (aOR 1.23); lower odds with father’s primary education (aOR 0.67), never watching TV (aOR 0.68), and only 1–3 antenatal visits (aOR 0.59).
Evidence for the claim as stated.
Senegal’s 62.8% complete immunization among 12–23-month-olds is not the same claim as ~15% ‘full’ coverage among 0–12-month infants in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Age windows, schedules, and ‘complete/full’ definitions differ, so the percentages should not be pooled as one West African coverage rate.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
Open questions
Tensions this paper is part of
From concept pages' “where studies disagree.” Disagreement means the same question; scope means different assays, populations, or outcomes.
Senegal’s 62.8% complete immunization among 12–23-month-olds is not the same claim as ~15% ‘full’ coverage among 0–12-month infants in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Age windows, schedules, and ‘complete/full’ definitions differ, so the percentages should not be pooled as one West African coverage rate.
History
When this study was placed
Dated entries from the concept change log — when this paper was added or removed as support, challenge, or qualifier on a claim.
Placed as supporting evidence on Vaccination
Pooled 2019–20 DHS data for 5,368 children aged 0–12 months in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia found full vaccination ~15.1% (males) and ~15.0% (females). Postnatal-care visits associated with higher odds (aOR 1.23); lower odds with father’s primary education (aOR 0.67), never watching TV (aOR 0.68), and only 1–3 antenatal visits (aOR 0.59).
Placed as supporting evidence on Vaccination
Senegal’s 62.8% complete immunization among 12–23-month-olds is not the same claim as ~15% ‘full’ coverage among 0–12-month infants in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Age windows, schedules, and ‘complete/full’ definitions differ, so the percentages should not be pooled as one West African coverage rate.
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Same topic cluster — not a recommendation engine.