Maternal Knowledge of Childhood Immunization and Its Association with Full Immunization Status Among Mothers of Children Aged 12–23 Months in a Riverine Community of Rivers State, Nigeria

Maternal knowledge is a modifiable determinant of childhood vaccination, yet little is known about its level among mothers in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta. This study assessed the level of maternal knowledge about immunisation and its association with full immunisation status among children aged 12–23 months in Asari-Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State, Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 mothers or primary caregivers selected through multistage sampling. Knowledge was measured with a 13-item interviewer-administered scale (score 0–13) and categorised as good (9–13), fair (5–8) or poor (0–4). Associations with full immunisation were examined using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Only 25.7% of mothers had good knowledge, 48.7% had fair knowledge and 25.7% had poor knowledge. Although 93.0% had heard of childhood immunisation, only 49.2% knew the age for measles vaccination. Full immunisation coverage was 52.1%, 30.8% and 16.7% among children of mothers with good, fair and poor knowledge, respectively (p < 0.001). Good knowledge remained independently associated with full immunisation (AOR = 5.22; 95% CI: 2.46–11.08). Awareness of immunisation is high, but specific, actionable knowledge of the schedule is deficient and is associated with incomplete vaccination. Schedule-specific, culturally adapted health education delivered beyond clinic walls should be prioritised in riverine communities.