Understanding inequalities in child immunization in India: a decomposition approach
Vinod Joseph Kannankeril Joseph1
1International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, India.
Journal of Biosocial Science
|March 16, 2021
Summary
Childhood immunization is vital, but socioeconomic factors create significant inequalities in coverage in India. Poorer households and mothers with less education face the greatest disadvantages in accessing these life-saving interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Sociology
Background:
- Childhood immunization is a cornerstone of healthy development and a cost-effective life-saving intervention.
- Low socioeconomic status is linked to reduced healthcare access, but specific inequalities in immunization coverage remain poorly understood.
- Understanding these socioeconomic determinants is crucial for improving equitable access to essential vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between socioeconomic factors and child immunization coverage in India.
- To quantify the contribution of various socioeconomic determinants to inequalities in full immunization coverage.
- To identify vulnerable populations for targeted interventions to reduce disparities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) in India.
- Employed chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression to assess associations.
- Calculated concentration indices and decomposed them to measure and explain socioeconomic inequalities in immunization.
Main Results:
- Immunization uptake in 2015-16 strongly correlated with maternal education and household wealth.
- Inequalities in immunization coverage were most pronounced among poorer economic groups and children of illiterate mothers.
- Concentration index decomposition highlighted significant disadvantages for weaker socioeconomic groups regarding immunization interventions.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic status, particularly maternal education and household wealth, significantly impacts child immunization coverage in India.
- Substantial socioeconomic inequalities exist, with disadvantaged groups facing barriers to essential immunization services.
- Targeted strategies focusing on vulnerable populations are necessary to achieve equitable immunization coverage and reduce health disparities.
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