Socioeconomic and residence‐based related inequality in childhood vaccination in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Evidence from Benin

• Published in: Health science reports 2023-04, Vol.6 (4), p.e1198-n/a
• Main Authors: Budu, Eugene, Ahinkorah, Bright O., Guets, Wilfried, Ameyaw, Edward K., Essuman, Mainprice A., Yaya, Sanni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: child; Child mortality; Childhood; Children & youth; Diphtheria; Illnesses; Inequality; Measles; mother; Original Research; Pediatrics; Poliomyelitis; Polls & surveys; Sociodemographics; Socioeconomic factors; Tetanus; vaccination; Vaccines; Variables; Wealth; Whooping cough
• ISSN: 2398-8835; 2398-8835
• DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1198

Background and Aims Childhood vaccination remains a cost‐effective strategy that has expedited the control and elimination of numerous diseases. Although coverage of new vaccines in low‐ and middle‐income countries increased exponentially in the last two decades, progress on expanding routine vaccination services to reach all children remains low, and coverage levels in many countries remains inadequate. This study aimed to examine the pattern of wealth and residence‐based related inequality in vaccination coverage through an equity lens. Methods We used data from the 2017−2018 Benin Demographic and Health Survey. Statistical and econometrics modeling were used to investigate factors associated with childhood vaccination. The Wagstaff decomposition analysis was used to disentangle the concentration index. Results A total of 1993 children were included, with 17% in the wealthiest quintile and 63% were living in rural areas. Findings showed that wealth is positively and significantly associated with vaccination coverage, particularly, for middle‐wealth households. A secondary or higher education level of women and partners increased the odds of vaccination compared to no education (p