Assessing nursing mothers knowledge on the importance of Vaccination in Rural-Buea, South-West Region, Cameroon

Many vaccines do not reach a majority of infants’ 0-11months. Vaccination is recognized as one of the prevention strategy, which contributes to the decreased global mortality and morbidity. This study had as objective to explore mother’s knowledge on the importance of vaccination to their children 0-11 months. A non-probability convenient sampling method was used. A sample of 100 respondents was interviewed at Tole, Muea, Mile 16, Bova and Bokova in April and May 2017. 76.2% had inadequate knowledge on aspects related to the general role of vaccination in prevention of some infectious diseases. Also, inadequate knowledge was documented (86%) on disease fought by BCG. 79.2% had no idea on the vaccines administered at birth to their children. in addition 61% could not explain the term vaccine. Based on the objective of this research, it can therefore be concluded that 76.2% of nursing mothers have inadequate knowledge on the importance of vaccination to their children 0-11 months. It is therefore suggested that proper health education and health promotion interventions be taken as measures to improve knowledge of mothers towards immunization as a disease prevention tool.

How to Get Involved

• Strengthen and emphasis on the importance of infant vaccination duringANC



• Home visits and activities carried outby health personnel’s in the primary health care sector should be revamped



• Sensitization campaigns on vaccination should be carried out at the level of the community so that not only mothers are aware of the consequences of not vaccinating the child but also other people in the community.



• Health institutions should develop strategies on advocating effectively and efficiently on vaccination