Adherence and factors associated with compliance with the vaccination schedule at the primary care level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/pvcn7n38Keywords:
Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Immunization Schedule; Primary Care NursingAbstract
Timely adherence to the childhood immunization schedule helps prevent vaccine-preventable diseases; however, it may be influenced by family, economic, institutional, and accessibility factors. The objective was to determine the factors associated with adherence to the immunization schedule among children under five years of age receiving care at the primary care level. A quantitative, observational, analytical, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted at the Type C “El Paraíso” Health Center in Machala, Ecuador, between January and March 2026. A total of 200 caregivers participated; they were administered a structured 39-item survey, and their vaccination records were verified. The data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics in SPSS version 25; the instrument achieved excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.94). Eighty-six point zero percent of the children had a complete vaccination schedule for their age, while 14.0% had an incomplete, delayed, or unverifiable schedule. Caregivers with a secondary education (82.5%) and those who were self-employed (50.5%) predominated. Sixty-five point five percent indicated that they were only sometimes able to find the required vaccines. No statistically significant associations were found between adherence, knowledge, attitudes, institutional factors, and accessibility. It is concluded that adherence was favorable, although institutional barriers persist that require education, follow-up, and timely availability of vaccines.
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