An Evaluation of Immunization Coverage among 12-23 months’ children in an Urban Area of Central India: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Infectious diseases are major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. About 25% of the under-5 mortalities are due to vaccine preventable diseases. In Maharashtra according to the NFHS-5 (2019-20) 73.5% of children between age group 12-23 months were fully immunized. In urban area proportion of children fully immunized in age group between 12-23 months is 71.7% according to NFHS-5. Immunization against childhood disease is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions for child survival. Achieving and maintaining high level of immunization among children is necessary for the control and elimination of the major preventable diseases of childhood. Objective: To evaluate immunization coverage among 12-23 months’ children in urban area. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study will be carried out for the assessment of immunization coverage in the field practice area of the urban health training centre using WHO 30×7 clusters sampling method. A total of seven children aged                12-23 months will be interviewed from each cluster on pretested, predesigned schedule, thus giving us the sample size of 210. Statistical analysis used: A predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data of the study. Descriptive statistics and associations were analyzed. Results: A total of 210 children aged 12-23 months were included in the study. It was found that 140 (66.67%) of the children were found to be fully immunized. While 63 (30%) and 7 (3.33%) were partially and non-immunized respectively. There is statistically significant association between education of mothers, family income and immunization status of children. Most common reason for partial and non-immunization of children was found to be obstacles and ill child. Conclusions: Creating awareness of immunization among caretakers and ensure vaccine availability would be a strong step towards achieving the goals.