Maternal knowledge and perceptions aboutthe routine immunization programme--a study in a semiurban area in Rajasthan

A cross sectional study on immunization coverage in the town of Pilani was conducted and a total of 166 mothers were interviewed using a pre-tested interview schedule/questionnaire on Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Expectations (KAPE). The results showed that among the 12-24 month old children 50% fully, 31.3% partially and 18.7% not at all immunized. High levels of initial vaccination rates and low levels of OPV3/DPT3 (62.7%) and measles (51.8%) vaccines indicate that completing vaccination schedule needs attention. Almost all the children in the study, 165 out of 166 received two doses of polio vaccine from the Pulse Polio Immunization programme. Majority of the mothers expressed favourable attitudes and satisfaction regarding the programme. Though many were aware of the importance of vaccination in general, specific information about importance of completing the schedule and knowledge about vaccine preventable diseases other than poliomyelities was very limited. Obstacles, misconceptions/beliefs among the mothers of partially immunized children and lack of information among not at all immunized group were the main reasons of non-immunization. The implications of the study are: to enhance the maternal knowledge about the vaccine preventable diseases and importance of completing the immunization schedule through interpersonal mode and to overcome obstacles to immunization such as accessibility and lack of family support.