Immunization coverage and predictive factors for non-completion of immunization among migrant children under 5 years old, Casablanca - Morocco

Introduction: Despite several initiatives by the Moroccan health ministry to protect migrants' rights to health services, the vaccination of migrant children remains a public health issue. Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to measure the vaccination coverage and identify the factors associated with the non-completion of vaccination of sub-Saharan migrant children under 5 years of age in the city of Casablanca. Methods: Based on an analytical cross-sectional study, snow-ball sampling was conducted and a questionnaire was given to sub-Saharan migrant mothers of children under 5. The results of the descriptive analyses and the Chi test led to the elaboration of a predictive model through a multivariate logistic regression. The information collected included socio-demographic characteristics, factors linked to accessibility to vaccination services, the mothers' knowledge and perception of vaccination. Results: Approximately 57% of sub-Saharan migrant children under 5 were incompletely or non-vaccinated. The factors significantly associated with vaccination status after the multivariate analysis were the mothers' educational levels (4.895 [1.907-12.562]), professional status (0.411[0.206-0.821]), knowledge about the advantage of vaccination (0.035 [0.004-0.309]), the vaccination calendar (6.854 [3.172-14.813]), the waiting period ( 0.115 [0.051-0.261]), administrative barriers ( 7.572[2.004-28.617]) and psychological barriers (0.086 [0.043-0.170]). Conclusion: The vaccination status of migrant children under 5 years of age in the city of Casablanca remains a public health issue and requires better healthcare coverage in order to improve the vaccination situation in this vulnerable population.