Factors affecting the vaccination coverage of children under five years in central India

Abstract

Background: Despite a dramatic reduction in disease burden of vaccine-preventable diseases through childhood immunization, vaccine coverage is not satisfactory even in urban slums. We need considerable efforts to ensure adequate vaccine coverage to control morbidity and mortality. Objective: To assess the immunization coverage in an urban slum area and determine various socio-demographic factors affecting the vaccination coverage. Material and Methods: It is a cross sectional random sample study. Parents of children upto the age of 5 years were interviewed at their homes and vaccination centers. Total 1514 cases were included in this study. Results: Approximately 58.9% of the children were fully vaccinated, 23% children were partially vaccinated and 18.2% children were unvaccinated. The full vaccination rate increased with lower birth order, education level of the parents, socioeconomic status of family and hospital delivery. Conclusion: Children from higher economic or educational groups had better vaccination coverage. Not known of exact date of vaccination is most important factor for poor vaccination coverage. Lack of time, distance and nobody at home were the other factors having negative impact.