Vaccination coverage among children aged 1–59 months admitted to four health facilities in Brazzaville

Judicaël Kambourou; Herling Z. Houando; Aymar P. G. Oko; Axel J. Aloumba; Jethro Massala; Léticia Lombet; Engoba Moyen; Georges M. Moyen

doi:10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260055

Authors

Judicaël Kambourou Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien NGOUABI University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Herling Z. Houando Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Brazzaville University Hospital, Republic of Congo
Aymar P. G. Oko Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien NGOUABI University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Axel J. Aloumba Infectious Diseases Department, Brazzaville University Hospital, Republic of Congo
Jethro Massala Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Brazzaville University Hospital, Republic of Congo
Léticia Lombet Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Brazzaville University Hospital, Republic of Congo
Engoba Moyen Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien NGOUABI University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Georges M. Moyen Faculty of Health Sciences, Marien NGOUABI University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260055

Keywords:

Vaccination coverage, Immunization, Pediatric patients, Brazzaville/Congo

Abstract

Background: Immunization is an effective intervention for preventing morbidity and complications associated with infectious diseases in children. Objectives were to contribute to improving vaccination coverage among children aged 1-59 months admitted to hospitals in Brazzaville.

Methods: A cross-sectional study on childhood vaccination coverage was conducted between January and October 2021 in four health facilities in Brazzaville. Children aged 1-59 months who were hospitalized and whose parents provided consent were included. Study variables included sociodemographic characteristics, parental knowledge of immunization, and children’s vaccination status. Statistical tests used were chi-square and odds ratio with a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: A total of 217 children were included, 53% of whom were boys (sex ratio=1.1). Children older than 2 years accounted for 36.4% (n=79). The rate of vaccination card ownership was 48.4% (n=105). Among these, 75.2% (n=79) were up to date with their vaccines up to the age of 9 months. The dropout rate between BCG and measles vaccine (VAR) was 53.3%, and the lowest coverage was observed for measles and yellow fever vaccines at 46.7% (n=49). Gender, maternal education level, and mothers’ knowledge of target diseases significantly influenced vaccination coverage (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Improving the low vaccination coverage among children aged 1-59 months requires revitalizing the expanded program on immunization (EPI).

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Baonga BA Pouth SF, Kazambou D, Delissaint D, Kobela M. Couverture vaccinale et facteurs associés à la non complétude vaccinale des enfants de 12 à 23 mois au district de santé de Djoungolo Cameroun. Pan Afr Med J. 2014;17:91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.17.91.2792

Antai D. Inequitable childhood immunization uptake in Nigeria: a multilevel analysis of individual and contextual determinants. BMC Infect Dis. 2009;9(181):1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-9-181

Odusanya OO, Alufohai EF, Meurice FP, Alionkhai VI. Determinants of vaccination coverage in rural Nigeria. BMC Publ Health. 2008;8(381):1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-8-381

Douba A, Aka LBN, Yao GHA, Akani BC, Konan N. Facteurs socio démographiques associes à la vaccination incomplète des enfants de 12 à 59 mois dans six pays d’Afrique de l’ouest. Santé publique. 2015;27:11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3917/spub.154.0575

Sanou A, Simboro S, Kouyaté B, Dugas M, Graham J, Bibeau G. Assessment of factors associated with complete immunization coverage in children aged 12-23 months: a crosssectional study in Nouna district, Burkina Faso. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2009;9(S1):S10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-698X-9-S1-S10

Ibidolapo TI, Akinola AF, Oluwapelumi AA, Olayinka SI. Urban-rural differences in immunisation status and associated demographic factors among children 12-59 months in a southwestern state, Nigeria. PLoS One. 2018;13(11):e0206086. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206086

Edouard B, Amie B. Using immunisation coverage rates for monitoring health sector performance: Measurement and interpretation issues. Washington DC, human development network, the word Bank. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/ The World Bank. NW. Washington, DC. 2000;16-17.

Randriatsarafara FM, Ralamboson S, Rahoelison H, Ranjalahy RJ, Ratsimbazafimahefa RH. Respect du calendrier vaccinal selon le programme élargi de vaccination au CSMIU de Moramanga. Rev Med Madag. 2014;4(2):457-63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62606/RMMao00126

Galadima A, Mohd Zulkefl N, and Ahmad N. Factors influencing childhood immunisation uptake in Africa: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):1-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11466-5

Edwards AE. Maternal barriers to childhood vaccinations in Tanzania: an examination of 2004-2005 demographic and health survey (Master thesis). 2010.

WHO, UNICEF, World Bank. State of the world's vaccines and immunization,3rd ed. Geneva, World Health Organization. 2009. Avavailbe at: http: www.who.int/immunization/sowvi/en/. Accessed on 15 November 2025.

Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, Plan d’Action Mondial pour les Vaccins 2011-2020. Genève. 2013;77.

Machingaidze S, Wiysonge CS, Hussey GD. Strengthening the Expanded programme on immunization in Africa. Looking beyond 2015. Plos Med. 2013;10(3):e1001405. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001405

OMS, UNICEF. La Vaccination dans le monde: Vision Stratégique 2006 – 2015. 2006: 82. Available at: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA58-REC1/Francais/Annex.pdf. Accessed on 3 August 2026.

Ministère du Plan, de la Statistique et de l’Intégration, République du Congo. Enquête par Grappes à Indicateurs Multiples. 2015;24.

Benoit G, Bourrillon A, Chabrol B, Chéron G, Grimprel E. Pediatrics for the Practitioner, Child and Adolescent Medicine. Elsevier Masson. 2020;819.

Ministère de la Santé Publique, Yaoundé, Cameroun. Enquête Démographique et de Santé. Cameroun: Institut National de la Statistique (INS). 2018;71.

Ndiaye NM, Ndiaye P, Diédhiou A, Gueye AS, Tal-Dia A. Factors related to failure to complete immunization of children aged 10-23 months in Ndoulo (Senegal). Santé. 2009;19(1):9‑13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/san.2009.0139

Launay O. Principes de la Vaccination Infectiologie Hôpital Cohin, Paris Janvier 2016 Cohin-Saint de Paul-ppt télécharger. Slide player.fr 2016. Available at: http://Slide player.fr/slide/102995474/. Accessed on 15 November 2025.

Guimezanes A, Mathieu M. Les Vaccins: Approche de Santé Publique. 2014;47-66.

Ahun M‎. Immunization essentials: a practical field guide. Bull World Health Organ. 2004;82(‎9):709.

Doumbia D. La surveillance des maladies cibles du Programme Elargi de Vaccination au Mali: analyse rétrospective des données de surveillance de 2004 à 2014. Faculté de Médecine et d’Ondo stomatology. 2017.

Félicitée N, Hermann ND, Andreas C, Evelyn M, Guy W, Michel M, et al. Déterminants et Raisons de Non Vaccination Complète des Enfants Hospitalisés dans deux Hôpitaux de Référence Pédiatrique à Yaoundé. Health Sci. Dis. 2018;19(2):NA.

Barata RB, Almeida Ribeiro MC, Moraes JC, Flannery B, behalf O of the Vaccine Coverage Survey 2007 Group. Socioeconomic inequalities and vaccination coverage: results of an immunisation coverage survey in 27 Brazilian capitals, 2007-2008. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2012;66(10):934‑41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2011-200341

Moussa DM. Evaluation de la couverture vaccinale chez les enfants de 12 à 24 mois en Commune II du district de Bamako. Thèse de Doctorat en médecine (Diplôme d’état). Faculté de Médecine et d’odontostomatologie; 2015. Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), République du Mali. 2015.

Sackou KJ, Oga ASS, Desquith AA, Houénou Y, Kouadio KL. Couverture vaccinale complète des enfants de 12 à 59 mois et raisons de non-vaccination en milieu périurbain abidjanais en 2010. Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2012;105(4):284‑90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13149-012-0212-6

Tagnan FAP. Etude de la couverture vaccinale du PEV des enfants de 2 à 60 mois dans le département de pédiatrie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Souro Sanou de Bobo Dioulaso. Thesis. 2016.

Gaoussou TI. Evaluation de la couverture vaccinale chez les enfants âgés de 12 à 23 mois et les mères d’enfants âgés de 0 à 11 mois dans la commune VI du district de Bamako en Thesis. 2007.

Chiabi A, Nguefack D, Njapndounke F, Kobela M, Kenfack K, Nguefack S. Vaccination of infants aged 0 to 11 months at the Yaounde Gynaeco-obstetric and pediatric hospital in Cameroon: how complete and how timely? BMC Pediat. 2017;17:1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-017-0954-1

Babirye JN, Engebretsen MS, Makumbi F, Fadnes T, Wamani H, Thorkild T, et al. Timeliness of Childhood Vaccinations in Kampala Uganda: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study. PLOS one. 2012;7(4):1-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035432

Sulaimon T. Adedokun, Olalekan A. Uthman, Victor T. Adekanmb, and Charles S. Wiysonge. Incomplete childhood immunization in Nigeria: a multilevel analysis of individual and contextual factors. BMC Public Health. 2017;17:1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4137-7

Getayeneh A, Zemenu T, Koku ST, and Teshale AB. Complete basic childhood vaccination and associated factors among children aged 12-23 months in East Africa: a multilevel analysis of recent demographic and health surveys. Public Health. 2020;20:1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09965-y

Talani P, Nkounkou-Pika J, Mayanda H, Yala F. Les occasions de vaccination manquées à Brazzaville. Bull Soc Pathol Exot. 2000;2:21-2.

Faye A., Seck I, Dia AT. Facteurs abandon de la vaccination en milieu rural sénégalais. Med Afr Noire. 2010;57(3):137-41.

Nguefack D F, Tassadong C, Dongmo R, Tatah S, Fodvung W D S, Chiabi A, et al Factors influencing Routine Vaccination of children of Mothes-Lives-Stock Retailers in the Market of Yaoundé. Words J Vaccines. 2016;6:2.

Guedehousou T, Djinadou MG, Atakouma NK, Tatagan-Agbi K, Assimadi JK. Causes de non Vaccination et d’abandon vaccinal en milieur urbain Lomé (Togo) J. Rech Sci Université de Lomé. 2011;(2):187-9.