Awareness and practices of parents about immunization of children in the age group 2-5 years

Abstract

Background: Immunization is a highly cost-effective way of reducing morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries Objectives of this study were to determine awareness of parents and immunization status of children in the age group of 2 to 5 years and study the social factors influencing immunization status of a child.Methods: A total 200 children aged 2-5 years who are attending Pediatric OPD, immunization clinic from May 2017 to April 2018 were enrolled in the present study.Results: In the present study, 170 children (85%) received full immunization given by Government of India free of cost while 30 children (15%) got partial immunization. 90 children (45%) received full immunization while 110 children (55%) got partial immunization NOT given by Government of India free of cost. Parents of 80 children (40%) were unaware of vaccination schedule, parents of 70 children (35%) did not give full vaccination due to high cost, parents of 30 children (15%) had wrong beliefs while parents of 20 children (10%) couldn’t understand the importance of vaccination due to less education.Conclusions: The goal of 85% coverage is an uphill task. Adverse effects following immunization, busy parents, lack of knowledge seems to be a major contributing factor for the non-success of this national program. Parent’s occupation and education are statistically significant contributing factors for the poor immunization coverage among these children.

Child Immunization: Knowledge among Mothers in a North Karnataka Hospital

“…Another study by Adil et al showed that the barriers for vaccination are cost and low awareness about the ill effects of non-vaccinating their children. 1,2 .…”

“…Vaccination is considered to be the most cost effective means to prevent diseases from bacteria and viruses. Immunization curtails the morbidity and mortality rate to a greater extent 1 . But according to the estimates, 25 million children and 50 million pregnant women are not receiving routine immunizations thereby almost 2 million people worldwide are dying from vaccine preventable diseases like rubella, tetanus, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis and poliomyelitis 2,3 .…”

An Evaluation of the Measles Rubella Mass Vaccination Program in Schools of Meerut Cantonment 2018 and Assessment of Parents KAP towards Program

“…Comparison with similar campaigns conducted nationally and internationally: Demographic variables like literacy and religion associated with nonimmunization in study carry out Canton of Aargau, Switzerland (6) , similarly MMR immunization carried out in Bhutan (7) . Parents hesitance to immunization is due to overlook of vaccination card and not aware of proper vaccination schedule (8) . Higher proportion of employed mothers able to show fully immunization to their children due to better understanding of importance of elimination of diseases (9) .Another review of study carried out Pune suggests mass media campaign and continuous IEC strategies increases the knowledge quotient among women and school children which will contribute in long term foe better healthy society (10) .…”

Immunization status of children aged 1-5 years attending tertiary care center and reasons for partial or non-immunization

“…The results are similar to Upadhye JV et al Mathew Joseph L18 systematic review and Kumar et al studies. 22,24 Obstacles to immunization like mother too busy with work, child ill; mother ill, family problem and shifting of residence are noted in 57% (n=45) of partially immunized children. The second common reason identified is no motivator and postponing immunization until a favorable time with 32.9% (n=26) children being affected.…”