title: Parental awareness and coverage of mass measles vaccination drive 2011: cross-sectional survey in the metropolitan city of Karachi, Pakistan.
abstract: High measles incidence and frequent epidemics are reported in Pakistan, given the low coverage for measles vaccine. This study evaluated coverage of mass measles campaign 2011 and estimated parental awareness and determinants for low/no coverage. Household survey was conducted 4 months after the measles campaign in Karachi, Pakistan. Parents of children younger than 5 years were administered structured questionnaire about their knowledge and participation in measles campaign. Of 1020 eligible households, only 282 (28%) parents knew about measles supplementary immunization activity, mainly from public announcements (49%). Of these, 174 (62%) children received measles vaccine, whereas, 108 (38%) parents refused measles vaccine. Overall, only 17% children received measles vaccine during this campaign. Low maternal education, not having received DPT/Pentavalent-3 vaccine, and routine vaccination from public Expanded Program on Immunization facility were significant determinants for low coverage. Measles vaccine coverage in Karachi remains low, and sporadic outbreaks of measles every 2 to 3 years are expected unless population coverage can be rapidly increased.
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan raza.asif@aku.edu.
authors.forename: Asif Raza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Khowaja
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ali Faisal
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Anita K M
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Zaidi
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010154:Pakistan; D010290:Parents; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D008458:Measles Vaccine