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Immunization coverage of infants--rural-urban difference in Kerala
1Department of Community Medicine, Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala.
Insights
Immunization coverage for six vaccine-preventable diseases was high and similar across urban, semi-urban, and rural Kerala. Health education significantly boosted measles vaccine coverage, though DPT vaccine awareness remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Immunization is crucial for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Understanding immunization coverage variations across different geographic settings is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare immunization coverage for six vaccine-preventable diseases in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas of Kerala.
- To identify factors influencing immunization rates and awareness.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted across urban, semi-urban, and rural settings in Kerala.
- Data collection focused on immunization status, vaccine-specific coverage, and awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Main Results:
- High and comparable full immunization percentages were observed in all three areas.
- Measles vaccine coverage was notably higher in areas with active health education.
- Awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases was greater in urban/semi-urban areas, with lower dropout rates for DPT and OPV.
Conclusions:
- Kerala demonstrates high overall immunization coverage, with potential for further improvement through targeted health education.
- Despite high coverage, significant gaps in awareness regarding diseases prevented by vaccines like DPT persist, particularly in rural areas.
Abstract:
A study on the Immunization Coverage relating to the six vaccine preventable diseases was carried out in an urban, semi urban and rural area in Kerala and the results from the three areas were compared and discussed. The percentage of fully immunized children was similar in all the three areas and it was quite high. Coverage of measles vaccine was high in the Health Unit, Pangappara where health education activities were carried out by the interns. The awareness about vaccine preventable diseases was more in the urban and semiurban areas. The drop out rate for DPT and OPV was also less in urban and semiurban than in the rural areas. More than 50% of the households in urban, semiurban and rural areas were unaware of the diseases prevented by DPT vaccine. Intense Health Education Campaign can definitely improve the immunization coverage further in a state which has already attained total literacy.