Determinants of childhood immunization completion in Nasarawa north senatorial district Nasarawa state, Nigeria: A cross-sectional community based study

Childhood immunization remains a fundamental public health strategy for reducing morbidity and mortality among under-five children in Nigeria, yet completion rates remain suboptimal, particularly in underserved regions such as Nasarawa State. This study aims to examine determinants influencing childhood immunization completion across communities in Nasarawa North Senatorial district with emphasis on contextual health system dynamics and service accessibility patterns. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed, involving structured interviews with 403 caregivers, across selected communities in three local government areas of the Nasarawa North Senatorial Districts. Most notable in full immunization coverage of children in relation to age groups, between age25 -35 were the highest with 111 (82.6%) out of 134 respondents. Married caregivers had the highest fully immunized children with 261 (75.7%) out of 345 respondents. In relation to educational level, the highest respondents were non-formal education with 20 (87.05) out of 23. In relation to gender, children with female caregivers had the highest coverage with 266 (74.9%) out of 355 respondents. In respect to economics factors: High income earners had 30 (93.8%) out 32 respondents while in occupation factor, civil servant had the highest coverage of 74(89.2%) out 83 respondents. The complete immunization coverage of the children were significantly associated with level of education (P=0.00166), income (P=0.03068) and challenges associated with immunization (P=0.01499), occupation (P=1.205×10-5), religious belief (P=5.879×10-9) and cultural belief (P=1.807×10-16) of the caregivers but insignificantly associated with the age (P=0.07191), gender (P=0.59910) and marital status (P=0.30850) of the caregivers. However, Caregivers with active health education campaigns reported a higher completion rate of 74.7%. The study recommends increasing awareness creation in Nasarawa North Senatorial district can achieve higher immunization coverage and improved child health outcomes.