ABSTRACT
Brondial, Erielle Liezlle B., Leanza, John Daniel G., and Grefaldeo, Ronna H. “COMPLIANCE WITH ROUTINE INFANT IMMUNIZATION IN BARANGAY DAPDAP, LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY” (Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University of Legazpi, Rawis Legazpi City, September 2015).

The descriptive method of research was utilized in this study as it presented the collected data using textual and tabular forms. The study used complete enumeration to collect the sample size. All the mothers within the scope of the study were identified and taken in as respondents. A survey questionnaire was used as a tool to determine the compliance with routine infant immunization. Related literatures and studies were carefully studied to determine the similarities and differences of the past studies with the present study and to gain insight that could lead to a new aspect of the present study.

This study aimed to determine the compliance with routine infant immunization in Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City, Albay. Specifically, this sought to answer the following questions: What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of: a.) age, b.) educational attainment, c.) occupation, d.) family monthly income, e.) family size, and f.) marital status. What is the immunization status of the infants in Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City? What are the factors affecting the compliance with routine infant immunization? What measures may be proposed to improve the compliance with immunization?

Based on the data collected, the following were the findings of the study: On the demographic profile of the respondents: the highest frequency accounted for 19-21 years old, while the lowest frequency accounted for 34-37 years old; as to the marital status, married couples had the highest frequency, while being single had the lowest count; on educational attainment, high school graduate and college undergraduate both had the highest frequency count, while elementary graduate had the lowest count; as regards occupational status, unemployed mother had the highest frequency, while employed mother had the lowest count ; on family income, the highest frequency was accounted for Php501-Php5,001 while the lowest count accounted Php10,001-Php15,001; as to the number of children in every family, the highest frequency was yielded for families having 1-3 children, while the lowest count was for the families having 7-9 children. Infants with complete immunization had the highest frequency count compared with infants with incomplete immunization. The factors affecting compliance with routine infant immunization were identified: mother’s education; living within the vicinity of health service; performance of health workers; insufficient supply of vaccine; present sickness of the child; occupation of parents; living conditions; and conflicting priorities. Proposed measures to enhance compliance with routine infant immunization had been cited: the issues determined from the demographic profile of the respondents were as follows: having a child at an early age; single parenthood; low educational attainment; and low socio economic condition related to unemployment. As regards having a child at an early age, the program entitled “Ang pamilyang handa, nagpaplano ng tama”, which focused on family planning program, had been formulated. A seminar with regard to family planning was conducted. This would help each family to decide when to have a child especially for couples who are still young and only living in together. These couples might not be ready for the responsibilities, financial or otherwise, they are about to face concerning raising a child. The emphasis of the discussion was on the use of natural family planning method. The second indicator with regard to the demographic profile is single parenthood. The program entitled “We care for single parents” which focused on counselling of parent was formulated. A house-to -house visit was carried out among those families with single parents. The objectives of the activity were to assess problems and difficulties experienced by single parents; and to provide counselling and emphasize the importance and benefits of having a partner in raising a family. The third indicator is low educational attainment of mothers. The program entitled “Aasenso ka sa TESDA!” which focused on how to acquire TESDA courses was formulated. A seminar on TESDA courses and how to enroll in these programs was done. The activity aimed to emphasize the benefits and advantages of having a degree in technical courses. The last indicator with regard to the demographic profile is low socio economic condition related to unemployment. The program entitled “Pangkabuhayang swak na swak!” which focused on small time livelihood was conceived. A seminar about small time business was conducted. The seminar aimed to emphasize proper budgeting; to orient on the what, when, where and how to start a small time business; and to provide demonstration and instruction of common, simple and easy to prepare foods that could be sold for business and products that could be made out of recyclable materials. On the other hand, the immunization status of infants in Barangay Dapdap was likewise determined. Incomplete immunization of infants was found to be a problem. The program entitled “Halika na at magpabakuna!” which focused on encouraging the mothers to comply with immunization Program was formulated to address this issue. Information dissemination was carried out through pamphlet distribution to every household with infant. The content of the pamphlet was the importance of compliance and its advantages and disadvantages. Also included in the pamphlet were the programs and activities of the government in support of the immunization program so that parents would be aware of these programs.

Moreover, the factors affecting the compliance of mothers with routine infant immunization were also identified. Among these factors, two of which were identified to be an issue that has a huge impact on compliance. The first one is the mother’s education. The program entitled “Impormasyon tungkol sa Bakuna” which focused on the importance of immunization was formulated to address the issue. A seminar about immunization put emphasis on the importance of immunization and its benefits. It also allowed the participants to raise questions and provided clarifications for their concerns. The second factor was insufficient supply of vaccine. The program entitled “Improve management of vaccines” which focused on staff management training was formulated. A comprehensive training was done for the staff to improve forecasting, management, monitoring and distribution of vaccines and supplies.

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: The mothers under study mostly belonged to the younger age groups. Married couples were dominant among them but still the occurrence of being single with a child was almost half of count. They built a family of their own without finishing a college degree. Low educational attainment had led them to be unemployed and stayed at home with nothing to contribute to their husband to help out with daily expenses of the family. The husband or partner was the only one raising the family and shouldering all finances. The high unemployment rate among the mothers resulted to low family income. Most of their families had a low monthly income. Although those families had low monthly income, having a small number of children was noteworthy. The compliance rate in Barangay Dapdap among infants aged 0-12 months was low as evident in the immunization status. There were still a lot of infants who did not receive the immunization appropriate for their age. The compliance rate was affected by many factors. The most influential factor was contributed by the mothers. They play a significant role in the child’s health as the chance of the child to be immunized is largely dependent on them. The proposed measures to enhance the immunization compliance were cited. Involvement of the local government unit and local health service as well as the active participation and cooperation of the mothers are important to solve the existing problems in the community. The local government unit should help households to improve family daily living conditions which may include education, employment and family planning. The local health service provider should disseminate practical information through community leaders or groups through providing community education and forums regarding immunization. The community leaders, groups, and the public should be informed about the risks and benefits of vaccination as well as how to handle its common side effects. To improve counseling on the side effects of vaccination and to improve the quality of communication
at the time of vaccination are deemed necessary. These may involve training, supportive supervision and reducing crowding. There should be an analyzed data to identify the largest pockets of under-immunized children; map them; consult with local leaders reaching each area. Improve skills and performance of the health staff in forecasting vaccines, supplies and equipment needs at all levels. Make each facility director responsible for ensuring that vaccination is available every day and hour that it should be; have each facility director and appropriate district staff monitor this; post schedule of vaccination including days and time in facilities and, if possible, in communities. Hold individual or group discussions with leaders or the public to determine if the schedule is inconvenient for many people; if so, modify the time or schedule occasional special sessions.

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were formulated: The involvement of the local government unit and local health service as well as the active participation and cooperation of the mothers must be achieved to solve the existing problems in the community. Conduct programs in the barangay to improve family daily living conditions which focus on education, employment and family planning. Disseminate information about TESDA courses, small time business and proper family planning. Improve compliance rate in the barangay through requiring mothers with infant for strict adherence to submit their children to the immunization program. Inform the mothers about the mandates of the Philippine Constitution on immunization. Consider the maternal characteristics as the most influential factor in compliance. Assess the difficulties of mothers with compliance and reinforce this assessment with counseling and seminars. Identify appropriate measures to enhance the compliance rate with routine infant immunization in Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City, Albay.