Determinants and gaps influencing zero-dose immunization and maternal health service utilization in Nigeria

This peer-reviewed article examines how maternal health service utilization influences the likelihood of children remaining zero-dose in Nigeria. The study analyzes data from a cross-sectional household survey of 1,958 women with recent live births across six Nigerian states. Using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression, the authors assess how antenatal care attendance, place of delivery, skilled birth attendance, and socioeconomic factors are associated with zero-dose status and continuity of care across the maternal, newborn and child health continuum.

Key findings

• Zero-dose prevalence was highest among children whose mothers had fewer than four ANC visits (35%), delivered at home (35%), or were assisted by unskilled birth attendants (39%).
• Only 31% of women received complete care across the continuum (adequate ANC, facility delivery, skilled birth attendance, and child immunization), while 58% received partial care and 11% received no care.
• Maternal education, paternal education, household socioeconomic status, maternal age, and place of residence were important predictors of both continuity of care and zero-dose status.

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