Coverage and determinants of childhood immunization in Somalia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hum Vaccin ImmunotherMay 18, 2026 (epub)
Ahmed Mohamed Dirie, Nur Rashid Ahmed, Shafie Abdirahman Dirie et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed childhood immunization coverage in Somalia, analyzing 11 cross-sectional studies from 2010 to 2025. The findings revealed that 57.9% of children received at least one vaccine, while full immunization coverage was only 42.2%. Key determinants included birth location and maternal education levels.
Key findings
- Pooled coverage for at least one vaccine was 57.9%, with full immunization at 42.2%.
- Children born in health facilities had higher immunization odds (AOR = 2.10).
- Mothers with ≥4 ANC visits had lower odds of child immunization (AOR = 0.27).
- Maternal education increased immunization likelihood (AOR = 1.14).
Why it matters
Understanding the coverage and determinants of childhood immunization is crucial for public health strategies, especially in regions like Somalia where vaccination rates are low. This knowledge can inform targeted interventions to improve immunization uptake.