Assessment Of Immunization And Nutritional Status: A Comparative Study Of Children 12-59 Months Of Age In Rural And Urban Communities Of Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Immunization and optimal nutrition are critical for child survival, yet disparities persist between rural and urban communities in low-resource settings. This study assessed and compared immunization coverage and nutritional status among children aged 12-59 months in rural and urban areas of Sokoto state, Nigeria. Across-sectional comparative study employed multi-stage sampling to select 260 children (130 rural, 130 urban) from households. Data on socio demographics, immunization history (verified via cards), and anthropometry (weight, height/length) were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and standard tools. Immunization status was classified per Nigeria's National Programme on Immunization schedule; nutritional status was determined using WHO z-scores. Data were processed using IBM® SPSS version 25 and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Full immunization coverage was 31.5% urban vs. 20.0% rural (p<0.001). Rural children had higher stunting (58.5% vs. 46.9%, OR=2.1), wasting (33.1% vs. 22.3%, OR=1.91, 95%CI:1.11-3.28), and underweight (60.0% vs. 52.3%, OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.25- 2.68) rates. The factors that were found to be significantly associated with the immunization status of the children in both groups were the educational level of the mothers (p< 0.001), the occupation of the fathers, and the presence of an immunization card (p< 0.001). In urban areas, there was a statistically significant association between immunization status and stunting (p= 0.003), underweight (p= 0.003), and wasting (p=0.029). However, in rural areas, there was only a statistically significant association between immunization status and underweight (p= 0.010). Urban children exhibited superior immunization coverage and nutritional outcomes compared to rural peers, underscoring inequities driven by access barriers. Strengthening rural outreach, community nutrition programs, and surveillance is essential.