Coverage and determinants of hepatitis B virus vaccine uptake among children aged 12-36 months in Ethiopia: an analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey.

BACKGROUND

In Ethiopia, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence is high (∼6%) and infant vaccination targets are unmet. We assessed HBV vaccination uptake and associations with parental sociodemographic and obstetric factors among children (aged 12-36 months) in Ethiopia.

METHODS

We utilised the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. We included a weighted sample of 3,855 children (aged 12-36 month) to assess HBV vaccination coverage level (none, incomplete, and complete) and its spatial distribution. Additionally, we identified associated factors of HBV vaccination coverage level using ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 51.2% of children received complete HBV vaccination, with wide regional variation. Older maternal age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.07), better maternal education level (mean AOR=1.66-2.08), higher household wealth quantile (mean AOR=1.51-2.32), distance to a healthcare facility not a big problem (AOR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.25-1.89), and complete maternal continuum care utilisation (AOR=2.59, 95% CI: 1.25-5.30) were positively associated with HBV vaccination coverage, while higher number of children in the household (AOR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.92) was negatively associated.

CONCLUSIONS

HBV vaccination coverage falls below World Health Organization (WHO) targets in Ethiopia and has substantial regional variation. Targeted vaccination campaigns for mothers in lower socioeconomic groups and larger families may improve vaccination coverage.