Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39819917›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Subnational trends and inequalities of under-immunisation and zero-dose among children aged 12-23 months in Uganda: a national population-based cross-sectional study.

Ronald Wasswa, Rornald Muhumuza Kananura, Peter Waiswa, Jennifer Harris Requejo, Thiago M Santos, Aluisio J D Barros

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ronald WasswaDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda rwasswa93@yahoo.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1251-2460
Rornald Muhumuza KananuraMakerere University Center of Excellence for Maternal and Newborn Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Peter WaiswaDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Jennifer Harris RequejoGlobal Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, World Bank, Washington, DC, USA.
Thiago M SantosInternational Center for Equity in Health, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4572-5297
Aluisio J D BarrosInternational Center for Equity in Health, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2022-8729

Funding

Gates Foundation INV-003416
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDespite the Global Vaccine Action Plan's goal of at least 90% vaccine coverage for all children, Uganda has made limited progress in vaccination over the past decade. The objective of this study was to examine the subnational trends in the prevalence and inequalities in under-immunisation and zero-dose among children aged 12-23 months in Uganda. STUDY

designA retrospective national cross-sectional study.

settingUganda

participantsUganda Demographic and Health Survey secondary data of only children aged 12-23 months. The samples selected for analyses were 1507 in 2006, 1409 in 2011 and 2650 children in 2016. OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcomes were under-immunisation and zero-dose vaccination.Absolute and relative inequality measures were used in the analysis.

resultsFrom 2006 to 2016, the under-vaccination rate decreased by 21%, but remained high at 40.8%. The zero-dose vaccination rate dropped by 82%, affecting 1.2% of children in 2016. Subnational inequalities in under-vaccination increased over time with widening gaps between regions. While inequalities across wealth quintiles, maternal education levels and places of residence narrowed, children of mothers with lower education levels continued to have the highest under-vaccination rates. The rural-urban gap for zero-dose vaccination remained unchanged, with rural children disproportionately impacted.

conclusionWhile some progress was made in reducing under-vaccination rates in Uganda within the study period, no region achieved an under-vaccination rate below 20%. This indicates significant challenges in reaching the Sustainable Development Goal target of at least 80% immunisation coverage. Targeted interventions are necessary to improve healthcare access, enhance public health communication and strengthen the health system, particularly in underserved communities and among vulnerable populations.

Indexed as

Healthcare DisparitiesVaccinationVaccination CoverageCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansImmunization ProgramsInfantMaleRetrospective StudiesSocioeconomic FactorsUgandaChildHealth EquityImmunisation ProgrammesVaccination

Identifiers

PMID39819917
PMCPMC11752051

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