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Immunisation coverage at a well-baby clinic in the United Arab Emirates
1Department of Family Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Infant immunisation uptake in the UAE was low in 1990. Distance from clinics significantly impacted timely immunisation completion, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to improve child health surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- In 1990, United Arab Emirates (UAE) infant immunisation coverage was 60%.
- Well-baby clinics are crucial for ensuring timely immunisation and child health monitoring.
- Factors influencing clinic attendance and immunisation completion require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with attendance and immunisation uptake in a UAE well-baby clinic.
- To analyze the impact of demographic and geographic factors on infant immunisation completion.
- To inform strategies for improving child immunisation surveillance and coverage.
Main Methods:
- A birth cohort of 665 infants was studied.
- Infant records were examined for attendance and immunisation status.
- Factors analyzed included gender, distance from clinic, and access to primary healthcare.
Main Results:
- Only 22% of infants attended all scheduled well-baby clinic visits.
- 54.3% of infants completed the immunisation program within the recommended timeframe.
- Infant's residential distance from the clinic was the sole significant factor affecting immunisation uptake.
Conclusions:
- Geographic accessibility is a critical barrier to timely infant immunisation in the UAE.
- Targeting high-risk populations for delayed immunisation completion is essential for improving public health surveillance.
- Interventions addressing distance barriers are needed to enhance child immunisation rates.
Abstract:
The United Arab Emirates Survey of Immunisation Coverage by UNICEF in 1990 showed that the coverage for UAE infants up to one year of age was 60%. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with attendance and immunisation uptake at a well-baby clinic. A birth cohort of 665 infants were selected and their records examined to determine the factors such as gender, distance of housing area from clinic and access to other primary health care facilities. Only 22% attended all the scheduled visits and 54.3% of the sample completed the immunisation program within the correct time. The distance the infant lived from the clinic was the only factor significantly affecting immunisation uptake. The identification and targeting of groups at high risk of delayed completion of the immunisation program is a necessary risk factor in improving future surveillance.