Negative experiences, transport costs linked to lower child immunisation rates

POVERTY, long travel distances to clinics, low literacy levels among parents and the spread of misinformation on social media are standing in the way of childhood vaccination.

- SIPOKAZI FOKAZI

As a result, many children remain unprotected against preventable diseases such as measles and polio, as well as dangerous pneumococcal infections that can cause life-threatening illnesses like meningitis, suggests a UWC study.

The review found that negative experiences in clinics, loss of income, living in a large family, and transport costs are all associated with lower childhood immunisation rates.

The research was led by Dr Bridgette Lockett from UWC’s School of Nursing. She is also a postgraduate lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Coauthors of the study include Dr Juliana Willemse from UWC and Dr Rugira Modeste from Stellenbosch University’s Department of Nursing and Midwifery.