Assessing Experiences of Mothers in Accessing Childhood Immunisation Services: The Perspective of Mothers at a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa

Background: Immunisation is a protective measure against infectious diseases and is one of the most crucial public health interventions (WHO, 2019). Mothers face challenges which are facility-related factors such as long waiting times, stock-outs and negative staff attitudes, as well as cultural and religious beliefs held by mothers and families, which further shape whether children receive vaccinations (Wiysonge et al, 2020; South Africa qualitative study, 2023). Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the experiences of mothers in accessing childhood immunisation services from the perspective of mothers in the paediatric outpatient department at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional design approach was used to investigate the challenges faced by mothers when accessing childhood vaccination. A probability sampling method was used to sample 221 respondents by means of systemic sampling. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaire. Validity was ensured through face and content validity. The reliability was ensured through clear and detailed instructions as well as pilot testing. Data was collected and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27. The results analyzed were then carefully interpreted to identify key trends and patterns. The data analyzed was presented visually through tables and charts to make the findings easier to understand and interpret. Results: The study comprised of 222 participants. The study results showed that majority of mothers knew and understood enough about immunization and their advantages. However, long waiting times, high transport expenses and vaccine shortages made it difficult for many of the mothers and impacted schedule adherence. According to the study’s findings, expanding vaccine coverage requires improving service accessibility, effectiveness and ongoing health education. Conclusion: The study revealed that mothers face several challenges when accessing childhood immunisation services, including long waiting times, lack of information regarding vaccines and limited accessibility. These barriers negatively impact immunisation uptake and threaten child health outcomes. Recommendations: Addressing the challenges that mothers face when accessing immunisation through improved health education, resource allocation, and community engagement is essential to strengthen immunisation coverage.