Preference for Private Sector for Vaccination of Under-Five Children in India and Its Associated Factors: Findings from a Nationally Representative Sample

Abstract

Background Understanding the factors associated with private sector preference for vaccination will help in understanding the barriers in seeking public facility and also the steps to improve public–private partnership (PPP) model. Methods We analysed the recent National Family Health Survey-4 data (NFHS-4; 2015–16) gathered from Demographic Health Survey programme. Stratification and clustering in the sample design was accounted using svyset command. Results Weighted proportion of children receiving private vaccination was 10.0% (95% CI: 9.7–10.3). Children belonging to highest wealth quantile (adjusted Prevalence ratio; aPR-1.58), male child (aPR-1.07) urban area (aPR-1.11), not receiving anganwadi/Integrated Childhood Development Services (aPR-1.71) and receiving antenatal care in private sector was significantly associated with higher proportion of private vaccination. Conclusion Current study showed that 1 in 10 <5 years child in India received vaccination from private health facility. Preference for private health facility was found to be influenced by higher socio-economic strata, urban area residence and seeking private health facility for antenatal and delivery services.

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