Related Experiment Videos
Vaccination status of under-5s in northern Gazankulu, 1985
Insights
This study assessed childhood immunisation in Elim, finding high DPT and polio vaccine coverage. Improvements are needed for the fourth DPT/polio doses and school entry vaccination requirements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood immunisation is critical for disease prevention.
- Assessing vaccination coverage in specific health wards is essential for targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunisation status of children under 5 years in the Elim health ward.
- To identify vaccination coverage rates for DPT, polio, and measles vaccines.
- To assess factors influencing vaccination status and provide recommendations for improvement.
Main Methods:
- A modified Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) technique using random cluster sampling was employed.
- Data was collected from 480 children under 5 years old in the Elim health ward.
- Vaccination records ('Road to Health' cards) and administration of DPT, polio, and measles vaccines were assessed.
Main Results:
- 83.5% of children had a 'Road to Health' card.
- High coverage was observed for 3-4 doses of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DPT) vaccine (93.5%) and polio vaccine (92.1%).
- 84.3% received at least one dose of measles vaccine, with lower rates for the fourth DPT/polio doses (65.9%-68.5%) in older children.
Conclusions:
- Recent improvements in vaccination services have positively impacted younger children's immunisation status.
- Recommendations include increasing the uptake of the fourth DPT and polio vaccine doses.
- Mandating completed vaccination for primary school entry is suggested to further boost coverage.
Abstract:
An assessment of the immunisation status of children under the age of 5 years in the Elim health ward was undertaken in September 1985. A modified EPI technique for random cluster sampling was used. The advantages of this modification are discussed. In total, 480 children were selected. Of these, 83.5% possessed a 'Road to Health' card, 93.5% had had 3 or 4 doses of DPT vaccine, 92.1% had had 3 or 4 doses of polio vaccine, and 84.3% had had 1 dose of measles vaccine. The percentage of children of 18 months and older who received a fourth dose of either DPT or polio vaccine was 65.9% and 68.5% respectively. The vaccination status of younger children is better than that of older children and this is probably due to recent improvements in the vaccination services. It is recommended that the proportion of children who receive a fourth dose of DPT and polio vaccine should be increased and that completed vaccination is made an entrance requirement for primary schools.