CHRONOLOGICAL AGE, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF CHILD IMMUNIZATION AMONG NURSING MOTHERS IN ZANGON KATAF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE
Keywords:
knowledge, practice, child immunization and nursing mothersAbstract
This study investigates the influence of maternal chronological age on the knowledge and practice of child immunization among nursing mothers in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Employing a survey research design, data were gathered from a proportionate stratified random sample of 198 registered nursing mothers across 11 council wards using a validated structured questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean scores) and inferential statistics (one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post-hoc tests) at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings reveal a progressive, statistically significant positive linear relationship between maternal chronological age, immunization knowledge, and practice adoption (p<0.05). Mothers aged 31 years and above demonstrated high and adequate knowledge and practice scores, driven by cumulative parity and repeated healthcare exposure. Conversely, mothers under 20 years exhibited significant deficits in both knowledge and practice, while those aged 21–30 years revealed a pronounced knowledge-practice gap possessing adequate theoretical knowledge (2.96) but inadequate actual practice (2.01) due to structural barriers, domestic workloads, and health system hurdles. The study concludes that chronological age is a critical structural determinant of childhood immunization uptake. It is recommended that health planners deploy youth-friendly clinic services, mobile outreach, and household engagement strategies. Furthermore, future researchers should audit facility health registers and utilize multivariable regression models to control for confounding sociodemographic factors.
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