CONNAISSANCE ET ATTITUDE PRATIQUE DES MERES VIS-A-VIS DE LA VACCINATION DE ROUTINE, ETUDE COMPARATIVE.

Background: Routine immunization is a key strategy in the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding the practice of vaccination in rural and urban areas. Methods: This is a comparative descriptive cross-sectional study that took place in two health areas (urban and rural) over a period of three (3) months from October to December 2022. It involved mothers or guardians of children who came for routine vaccination. Results: The mean age of the women was 28.76±6.85 years in urban areas and 26.51±7.37 years in rural areas. About 72.00% and 43.00% of the women in urban and rural areas, respectively, had given a good definition of vaccination. 88.00% of women in urban areas knew at least one EPI target disease, compared to 55.00% in rural areas. Only 31.00% of women in urban areas knew the vaccination schedule, compared to 12.00% in urban areas. Majority of women in urban (97.00%) and rural (67.00%) areas found it necessary to make up for missed immunization appointments in next sessions. Majority of them considered it necessary to send their children to the health center in the event of postimmunization symptoms (urban: 80.00%, rural: 53.00%). Conclusion: A good knowledge and practice of vaccination would allow to protect children against vaccine preventable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]