Assessment of Mothers’ Knowledge Concerning Child Immunization at the Rural District of Alhawija in Kirkuk Governorate

Abstract

Objective: Identify and describe the scope of knowledge of mothers toward child immunization and
its relation to their demographic characteristics and immunization status of their children.
Methodology ٨
descriptive study was conducted in (14) villages under the responsibility of (14)
primary health care centers (PHCCs), in the rural districts of Alhawija in Kirkuk governorate, from
March 24'ال to the end of June 2005. Non probability sample of (200) mothers, who had children aged
12-24 months and (200) children aged 12-24 months. The data were collected by the investigator who
interviewed mothers in their houses and filled out the constructed questionnaire formats which
designed for the purpose of the study. Internal consistency of reliability determined through the
computation of alpha-Chron Bach correlation coefficient for the mother’s knowledge concerning child
immunization. Test-retest of reliability was determined through the computation of spearman’s
correlation coefficient for child immunization status. The content validity of the constructed
questionnaire was determined through the use panel of expens. Data were analyzed through the
application of descriptive statistical (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistical (ChiSquare).
Results: The findings revealed that knowledge of mothers toward child immunization were poor, also
the decline of the immunization status of children aged 12-24 months. The findings have
approved that there is a significant relationship between mothers’ knowledge and demographic
variables (age, educational level and occupational status of the children's parents), characteristics of
primary health care center (PHCC) responsible for mothers’ village, the sources of mothers’ knowledge
concerning child immunization (physician, health worker, school and mass media) and immunization
status of mothers’ children.
Recommendations: The study recommended that Ministry of Health would be helpful in impro١ing
mothers’ knowledge related to child's immunization and improve immunization status of children.