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The Relationship Between Household Microfinance Group Participation and Vaccine Adherence Among Children in Rural Western Kenya.

Authors :
Deyoe, Jessica E.
Amisi, James Akiruga
Szkwarko, Daria
Tran, Dan N.
Luetke, Maya
Kianersi, Sina
Lee, Shin H.
Namae, Jane
Genberg, Becky
Laktabai, Jeremiah
Pastakia, Sonak
Rosenberg, Molly
Source :
Maternal & Child Health Journal; Nov2021, Vol. 25 Issue 11, p1725-1734, 10p, 5 Charts, 1 Map
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Introduction: High childhood vaccine adherence is critical for disease prevention, and poverty is a key barrier to vaccine uptake. Interventions like microfinance programs that aim to lift individuals out of poverty could thus improve vaccine adherence of the children in the household. BIGPIC Family Program in rural Western Kenya provides group-based microfinance services while working to improve access to healthcare and health screenings for the local community. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the association between household participation in BIGPIC's microfinance program and vaccine adherence among children in the household. We hypothesize that microfinance group participation will have a positive impact on vaccine adherence among children in the household. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, we surveyed a sample of 300 participants from two rural communities in Western Kenya, some of whom were participants in the BIGPIC Family's microfinance program. The primary outcome of interest was vaccine adherence of children in the household. Log-binomial models were used to estimate the relationship between microfinance group participation and vaccine adherence, adjusted for key covariates. We also assessed whether the relationship differed by gender of the adult respondent. Results: Microfinance group members were more likely to have all children in their households fully vaccinated [aPR (95% CI): 1.68 (1.20,2.35)] compared to non-microfinance group members. Further, the association was stronger when women were the microfinance members [PR (95% CI): 1.87 (1.27,2.76)] compared to men [PR (95% CI): 1.24 (0.81,1.90)]. Conclusions: Microfinance participation was associated with higher childhood vaccine adherence in rural Western Kenya. Microfinance interventions should be further explored as strategies to improve child health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10927875
Volume :
25
Issue :
11
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Maternal & Child Health Journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
153011706
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03217-0