Forthcoming Issue 1 2024 Socio-economic Inequalities in Child vaccination coverage in Tanzania over time: a decomposition analysis using the 2004/05, 2010 and 2015/2016 Demographics and Health Surveys

Abstract

Background: Despite global strides to reduce child morbidity and mortality, the number of infant and child deaths from preventable causes in Low-and Middle-Income Countries remains unacceptably high.  A cost-effective strategy to improve child health outcomes is through child vaccination and subsequent immunization. Despite free child vaccination in the public healthcare sector in Tanzania, the country’s vaccination rates have plateaued and remain concentrated among children from wealthier households.  

Methods: This is a retrospective study that uses the secondary data from Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey for 2004/05/ 2010, and 2015/16. Inequalities were measured using The study provides empirical evidence of the inequality in child vaccination across wealthy groups in Tanzania between 2004 and 2016 using the Erreygers’ corrected concentration indices. These inequalities wereare then decomposed to gain a deeper understanding of the factors contributing.  to these inequalities. The 2004/05, 2010, and 2015/2016 Demographics and Health Surveys were used for the analysis.  

Results: Child vaccination is concentrated among children from wealthier households in Tanzania, and this inequality has deepened over time. Socio-economic differences in wealth, areas of residence, mass media exposure,  and maternal education among Tanzanians have become an increasingly important drivers of these inequalities.  

Conclusions: Socio-economic divisions in Tanzania threaten to perpetuate inequalities to access to healthcare and subsequent health. It is essential that child vaccination should be provided equitably to all children regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds of their households, and efforts should be made to address these gaps between the vulnerable and the more privileged groups in society.