Quest Journals
Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
Volume 8~ Issue 11 (2021) pp: 13-22
ISSN(Online) : 2394-076X ISSN (Print):2394-0751
www.questjournals.org
*Corresponding Author: OJO, Eunice Abimbola 13 | Page
Research Paper
Perception and Health Seeking Behaviour towards
Immunization among Mothers Attending Infant Welfare
Clinic in General Hospital Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State
OJO, Eunice Abimbola (RN, RM, RNA, B.Sc, M.Sc. Soc, M.Sc. Nurs)
Babcock UniversitySchool of Nursing Science,
Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
AINA, Rachel Omolara (RN, RM, RNE, B.Sc, M.Sc, M.Ed)
School of Midwifery, University College Hospital, Ibadan
AGBONJIMI, Lawrence Adewale (RN, RM, RPHN, HND, BNSc, MPH)
Babcock UniversitySchool of Nursing Science,
Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
and
AKE,Nwabuhoma Betty (RN, RM, BNSc.)
Babcock UniversitySchool of Nursing Science,
Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study examined the perception and health seeking behaviour of mothers attending infant welfare clinic for
childhood immunization in Ijebu Ode General Hospital, Ogun State. This study specifically determined the
perception of mothers attending infant welfare clinic about childhood immunization; identified the factors that
promote positive perception about immunization among mothers; and assessed the health seeking behaviour of
mothers towards immunization. This study adopted anon-experimental descriptive design which was used with
the primary aim to objectively depict the perception and health-seeking behaviour of mothers attending infant
welfare clinic. The study focuses on nursing mothers attending infant welfare clinic of the Ijebu Ode General
Hospital. The estimated number of mother/babies attended to monthly at the clinic is about 250. The sample size
of 106 was calculated using the standard formula of Taro Yamane while stratified sampling technique was used
in selecting the sample for this study. The developed questionnaire was tested for face and content validity while
internal consistency method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument which yielded coefficient
value of 0.832. The data for this study was gathered through primary source and was subjected to descriptive
and inferential statistics. The results of the study revealed that little more than half of the respondents had
positive perception and good health-seeking behaviour regarding childhood immunization. Also, the factors
influencing mothers’ health-seeking behaviour were their place of previous delivery and perception about child
immunization, which is in turn influenced by the level of education. It was recommended among others that
women should be encouraged to deliver at health facilities so that their health-seeking behaviour about
childhood immunization could be improved.
KEY WORDS: Perception, Health Seeking Behaviour, Immunization, Mothers
Received 17 November, 2021; Revised: 29 November, 2021; Accepted 01 December, 2021 © The
author(s) 2021. Published with open access at www.questjournals.org
I. INTRODUCTION
Immunization is one of the most important public health interventions to reduce disease burden in
young children. Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year. An estimated 19.5