Immunization Status of Children in Urban Slums of Rawalpindi and Barriers to Immunization

Nazish Khan; Naila Azam; Qaisar Javed; Mehwish Riaz; Fatima Ali Raza Mughal; Sana Iqbal

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v74i4.7959

Authors

Nazish Khan Department of Community Medicine, Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Naila Azam Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University Rawalpindi Pakistan
Qaisar Javed Department of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Mehwish Riaz Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University Rawalpindi Pakistan
Fatima Ali Raza Mughal Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University Rawalpindi Pakistan
Sana Iqbal Department of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v74i4.7959

Keywords:

: Communicable Diseases, immunization coverage, slums.

Abstract

Objective: To determine immunization status of children residing in urban slums of Rawalpindi and identify the barriers to immunization.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Slums of Takht Pari, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Mar 2020.

Methodology: Children, aged 12-23 months, residing at Takht Pari were enrolled. Two sessions of a free medical camp were arranged at Takht Pari by Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University, Islamabad. Data was collected from parents visiting the medical camp with the mother labelled as the primary respondent. Immunization cards and mother’s recall were used to assess the immunization status of children.

Results: Two hundred ninety-one (72.9%) children were completely immunized, partially immunized were 106(26.6%) while 2(0.5%) were unimmunized. Three hundred eighty-eight (97.2%) children were vaccinated through government centers while those who received vaccination through private clinics were 9(2.3%). Factors associated with incomplete immunization were education of parents (p<0.001), number of children (p<0.001), gender of child (p=0.001), access to TV or Radio (p<0.001), and site of immunization (government/private) (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Immunization status of 73% shows that unremitting efforts are essential for attaining universal coverage of immunization with extra attention to underprivileged areas. Planning and placement of public facilities for preventive services needs to be an urgent priority improving service utilization and enhancing coverage as people tend to follow ease of accessibility for using immunization services.

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