Programs and strategies to maximize
immunization coverage in
low income countries generally focus upon mothers. 294 mothers of children
aged 12-18 months and 170 (67%) of the children's fathers were interviewed in a 1991 study of
immunization determinants in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Fathers were more likely than mothers to
perceive that the fathers had participated in the decision to send children for
immunizations. Where both parents reported the father's involvement in the
decision making process, and the father could speak English, the child was more likely to have completed the
immunization schedule by 12 months, independently of other factors. Neither the father's participation, nor his ability to speak English, was independently associated with the child's
immunization status. These findings suggest that where fathers have a relatively higher level of education, programs involving them in
decision making about their children's use of preventive health services may increase
timely immunization coverage levels.
