TITLE:
The Effect of Missed Opportunity to Routine Vaccination Coverage of Live Births and Surviving Infants in Kiribati Outer Islands
AUTHORS:
Ibrahim Musa Ngoshe, Tanebu Tong, Mohammad Abdalla, Teakireke Tokataake, Farouk Nelson Habu
KEYWORDS:
Missed Opportunities for Vaccination (MOV), Routine Vaccination, Infant Health, Kiribati Outer Islands, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Immunization Coverage, Caregiver Education, Rural Healthcare, Public Health Interventions, Infant Mortality, Healthcare Accessibility, Community, Outreach, Vaccine Awareness, Health Disparities, Pacific Island Nations
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.4,
April
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study examines the impact of missed opportunities for vaccination (MOV) on routine vaccination coverage and infant health outcomes in Kiribati’s Outer Islands. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, the study surveyed 422 caregivers of children aged 0 - 23 months. The results revealed a significant disparity in vaccination coverage, with rural children 2.5 times more likely to miss vaccinations compared to their urban counterparts. The analysis also indicated that 53.3% of caregivers possessed poor knowledge of vaccination, which was strongly associated with higher MOV rates (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.55 - 4.25). The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as healthcare outreach in rural areas and caregiver education programs, to enhance immunization coverage. Addressing these gaps is essential to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases and decrease infant mortality in Kiribati’s underserved Outer Islands.