Association between Maternal Use of Traditional Healer Services and Child Vaccination Coverage in Pont-Sonde, Haiti
- A two-stage stratified sample selected 720 mothers in Pont-Sonde, and 691 (96%) completed the questionnaire.
- Often or always using traditional healers was associated with a 53% decrease in the odds of child vaccination (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.83).
- Practice of Vodou was negatively associated with vaccination (AOR = 0.56).
- Walking distances of 46 to 60 minutes and more than 60 minutes to a health facility were negatively associated with vaccination (AOR = 0.53 and AOR = 0.34).
The study tested whether children of mothers who used traditional healers were less likely to be vaccinated. A two-stage stratified sample selected 720 mothers in Pont-Sonde and 691 (96%) completed a standardized questionnaire. After controlling for maternal age, education, religion and distance to the nearest health facility, often or always using traditional healers was associated with a 53% decrease in the odds of vaccination (AOR = 0.47).
Practice of Vodou and longer walking distance to a facility were also negatively associated with vaccination. The authors conclude that traditional healers could be enlisted through education to support vaccination efforts.
How to cite
International Journal for Equity in Health, 2009, Association between Maternal Use of Traditional Healer Services and Child Vaccination Coverage in Pont-Sonde, Haiti, https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-8-1
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- International Journal for Equity in Health