A Cross-Sectional Study of Immunization Coverage in Children in Urban Slums of Western Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: Children in urban slums suffer accentuated vulnerability to illnesses, as outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are more common in urban slums. Though the immunization coverage has been steadily increasing, the average level remains far less, which is 62% (NFHS4) than the desired coverage (90%). Objectives: 1) To estimate Immunization coverage in children aged between 12-23 months living in Urban Slum area 2) To study sociodemographic factors influencing immunization coverage & reasons behind missed vaccination. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2018. A sample of 210 children aged 12-23 months was selected using WHO 30 cluster sampling technique from urban slum areas. Data were collected by parent interviews using the pretested questionnaire and checking immunization card. Results: Out of a total of 210 children studied, 106 were boys, and 104 were girls. BCG, OPV1/Penta1, OPV3/Penta3 and Measles1 immunization was received by 207 (98.6%), 203 (96.7%), 181 (86.2%) and 154 (73.3%) children respectively. Socio-demographic factors like Religion, Birthplace, socio-economic status, mother's education, Mother's Occupation were found significantly associated with full immunization coverage. Common reasons for missed immunization were sick child (35%) and unawareness of missed doses (23%). Conclusion:In urban slum area coverage of full immunization was found only 66.2%, which is though above the national coverage (62%) but still far lower than the expected coverage under Mission Indradhanush (90%). This demands vigorous efforts to improve immunization through IEC, Community Participation and Inter-sectoral coordination.

Association between Maternal Health Care and Basic Immunization Completeness in Children Aged 12–23 Months: Analysis of 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey

“…Similar to a study conducted in urban slums of Western Maharashtra, India, we found that higher education level was found to have a significant relationship with the complete basic provision for children with an OR value of 1.64 [14]. This may be because mothers with higher education have better knowledge, awareness, health-seeking behavior, and decisionmaking capacity than mothers with lower education.…”