ABSTRACT
Poliomyelitis is currently the targeted disease to be eradicated by the year 2005 through immunization after eradication of smallpox in the 70s. However vaccine rejection is one of the obstacles for achieving this objective. In this study factors responsible for rejection of OPV (oral polio vaccine) in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State were studied. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted amongst 1135 fathers of under five children in Tarauni LGA. Immunization coverage, level of rejection of OPV, reasons for rejection and statistical association between rejection and some demographic variables were obtained with the aid of questionnaire. Fully immunization children were found to be only 47.3%, partially immunized children were 37.1% while non-immunized children were 15.6%. Some of the major reasons for rejection of the OPV were fear of contracting HIV/AIDS, vaccine will affect children fertility later in life and loo many repetition of the immunization. Age and religion belief and literacy level were found to have statistical association with OPV rejection (coefficient of association + 0.96) while religious belief, marital status and occupation have no relationship with OPV rejection. The study concluded that, there is high rejection of OPV in Tarauni L.G.A. Measures to improve the coverage and reduce rejection were suggested including intensive health education by the PHC department of the Local Government, friendly attitude of the vaccinators and provision of incentives to the parents and children.