Why infants miss vaccination during routine immunization sessions? Study in a rural area of Anand District, Gujarat.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of Anand District, Gujarat to measure the efficiency of immunization sessions and to identify the reasons for missing a vaccine in a session. Caregivers of infants aged less than one year and in need of any vaccine as per routine immunization schedule were interviewed by a house-to-house survey after immunization session was completed. Efficiency of immunization session was 66.7%. Reasons for 'missed' vaccination were prior reminder not given (32.9%, P<0.01); mother's forgetfulness (26.6%); unavailability of vaccine (15%). Higher birth order (OR=2.86; 3.16-2.56), mother's current residence at father's home (OR=3.17; 3.53-2.81) were associated with 'missed' vaccination. There are barriers in health care system such as lack of prior reminder and unavailability of vaccines which should be assessed and eliminated.
Department of Community Medicine, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad, Guajrat, India. trushar_9@yahoo.com
Tushar A
TA
Patel
Niraj B
NB
Pandit
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population