Background: Immunization is said to be the most effective public health intervention to prevent morbidity, complications, and mortality due to infectious disease among children. Due to the importance of vaccination in terms of infectious disease prevention, in terms of high cost-effectiveness ratio, international organizations, governments, and donors have intensified efforts to increase immunization coverage globally. Despite the efforts, thousands of children remain unimmunized or not fully vaccinated worldwide. Objective: To identify factors associated with incomplete immunization among children in Côte d’Ivoire. Method:The 1998-1999 and 2011-2012 Côte d’Ivoire Demography and Health Survey (DHS) data were used in this study. The included 3878 children aged 12 to 59 months with 1326 children from 1998-1999 DHS, and 2552 children from 2011-2012 DHS. Descriptive analysis was performed. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was computed to examine the relationship between variables. Univariate analysis was performed to examine the association between the dependent variable (incomplete immunization) and each independent variable using logistic regression. Variables with a p-value less than .05 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of immunization status using logistic regression (stepwise method). Results: About 42.7% and 50.1% of Côte d’Ivoire were not fully immunized in 1998-1999 and 2011-2012, respectively. Child birth place, mothers’ access to media, mothers’ literacy, place of residence, and religion were the best predictors of incomplete immunization. Conclusion:Health authorities in Côte d’Ivoire should take into account these immunization status predictors in order to address the issue of incomplete immunization.

The importance of gut associated lymphoid tissues has been extensively reported in higher vertebrates, but less is known in lower vertebrates. In mammals immunoglobulin (Ig)A is the primary Ig of mucosal immunity. But no IgA has been identified in cold-blooded animals. In higher vertebrates, antigen must stimulate the lymphoid tissues in the intestines to elicit an IgA response, and cytokines from CD4 positive helper T cells are required for B cell switch. It is not known if this is the case in lower vertebrates, or if T cell help evolved before or after class switch recombination between functional antibody isotypes. My study will fill in these gaps in our knowledge by comparing oral antigen inoculation relative to intraperitoneal antigen inoculation in frogs (Xenopus sp.). Oral immunization is a novel approach to eliciting immune responses in Xenopus. I propose that IgX will increase with oral inoculation compared to intraperitoneal injection. This would be the first demonstration of class switch upon oral immunization to a mucosal isotype in the first vertebrates that employs higher vertebrate Ig heavy chain switch mechanism, which would shed light on the most fundamental aspects of our humoral adaptive immune system. Using a total Ig ELISA protocol, measuring total relative levels of IgM, there was no difference between the first three groups of orally immunized frogs compared to intraperitoneally immunized frogs. However, a response to serum IgX was seen in the first group. On the other hand, the refined Ag-specific ELISA protocol did present a significant increase in serum IgM response in frogs immunized systemically over orally immunized animals, but not an overall IgX response. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that, contrary to initial reports, IgA evolved from IgX. With consideration of entire constant region and individual constant domain analyses as well as synteny and function, we suggest new hypotheses of vertebrate antibody evolution to be tested as immunogenetic coverage of more species continues to expand.

Thesis (M.A. (Population and Reproductive Health Research))--Mahidol University, 2000.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Jeanne Flannery, Florida State University, School of Nursing, Dept. of Graduate Studies. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept 27, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this grounded theory study was two-fold; first, to explore how mothers develop an understanding of childhood immunization which contributes to the decision¬making process resulting in a decision not to participate in immunization. Second, the perceptions of childhood immunization of health care professionals were also examined. The understanding and decision-making process of eight mothers was compared with the perceptions of twelve health care professionals. A number of themes were constructed from the research and a grounded theory was developed which emphasizes the importance of collaboration between non-immunizing mothers and health care professionals to promote positive health outcomes in children. The findings will assist health care professionals in understanding the factors contributing to the immunization decision-making process, which will subsequently support in delivering immunization programs. Recommendations to promote support and respect for parents' decision not to immunize their children, and assist in educating parents on immunization are also included. / xiii, 275 leaves ; 29 cm

<p>The aim of the study was to describe immunization coverage for DPT, Polio and Measles among children of ages between 12 to 18 months in Kawempe Division and to investigate factors associated with immunization coverage. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 239 households with children aged between 12-18 months in five villages that were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Information on demographic and socio-economic factors and immunization status was obtained from mothers and caretakers. Immunization coverage and analysis of associations between immunization coverage and demographic and socio-economic factors were done.</p>

<p>The aim of the study was to describe immunization coverage for DPT, Polio and Measles among children of ages between 12 to 18 months in Kawempe Division and to investigate factors associated with immunization coverage. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 239 households with children aged between 12-18 months in five villages that were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Information on demographic and socio-economic factors and immunization status was obtained from mothers and caretakers. Immunization coverage and analysis of associations between immunization coverage and demographic and socio-economic factors were done.</p>

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Michigan.

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Michigan.

Magister Public Health - MPH / The aim of the study was to describe immunization coverage for DPT, Polio and Measles among children of ages between 12 to 18 months in Kawempe Division and to investigate factors associated with immunization coverage. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 239 households with children aged between 12-18 months in five villages that were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Information on demographic and socio-economic factors and immunization status was obtained from mothers and caretakers. Immunization coverage and analysis of associations between immunization coverage and demographic and socio-economic factors were done. / South Africa