Immunization coverage: role of sociodemographic variables.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• National immunization coverage in India is insufficient, with only 44% of children aged 12-23 months fully vaccinated.
• Pockets of unvaccinated individuals can act as reservoirs for infectious diseases, even with high national coverage.
• Assessing immunization coverage in specific urban settings is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the immunization coverage among children in an urban slum.
• To identify sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination status.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum.
• The World Health Organization's 30 cluster sampling method was used to select 210 children.
• Data on vaccination status and sociodemographic variables were collected.

Main Results:

• Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) coverage was high (97.1%), while measles vaccine coverage was the lowest.
• The primary reasons for non-compliance were child illness during scheduled vaccination and lack of knowledge about immunization importance.
• Low maternal education, high birth order, and place of delivery were associated with lower vaccination coverage.

Conclusions:

• Targeted interventions are needed to improve immunization coverage in urban slums.
• Educational and informational activities (IEC) are recommended to increase mothers' perceived need for immunization.
• Addressing barriers like child illness and improving maternal education are vital for enhancing vaccination rates.