ABSTRACT
Background: Many parents have poor understanding of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) and many believe in false propagations about the contents, side effects and effectiveness of vaccines. Lack of good knowledge and positive attitude about childhood immunization was believed to be the root cause for resurgence of VPDs. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding childhood immunization among mothers of under five children.Methods: A cross sectional study was done among mothers with at least one child in the under-five age group residing in the rural field practice area of a teaching institution. Assuming 61% mothers have good knowledge (Mangalore study) the sample size was calculated to be 235 with 20% error and 1.5 design effect. Data was collected with the help of pretested semi structured questionnaire by interviewing 15 eligible mothers from each of 16 wards. Descriptive analysis was done.Results: The average age of the participants was 27.30±5.42 years with many of them educated up to 10th grade (40.3%) and most being housewife (74.5%). Knowledge of mothers regarding the diseases that can be prevented by immunization was fairly good. But the knowledge regarding individual vaccines, their dosages and schedule were found to be low. Majority of mothers had good attitude about immunization. Immunization coverage of the locality was relatively good (87.7%). Significant relation was established between attitude and practice. Sick at the time of vaccination was the most common cause of being partially immunised (68.96%).Conclusions: Intensify the awareness classes for mothers and religious leaders on immunisation.
ABSTRACT
Background: To achieve the 5th Millennium Development Goal countries throughout the world are investing more energy and resources in providing equitable, adequate maternal health services. Objectives of the study was to assess the quality of structural attributes in the antenatal clinics in public health sector. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 30% of the institutions at various levels in the public health sector in Kozhikode district during September to February 2010-11. Structural quality was assessed using a checklist. A 3-point score was used. Mean score was used for comparing between different levels. The actual score for each attribute was calculated as percentage of maximum total and standard of 60 % was taken as cut off to categorize facilities as good or poor. Results: Out of the 28 institutions studied, 12 had good score for structural attributes. Attributes like general infrastructure, availability of basic diagnostic equipments and maintenance and cleanliness of health facility scored well at all levels. General Infrastructure was found to be good in 23 health facilities; maintenance was good in 17 facilities and 19 facilities scored well for Basic Diagnostic Equipments. Basic Laboratory Facilities was grossly inadequate in all institutions especially at the PHC level. Only 8 facilities had Adequate Drugs Supply. The overall score for all the structural attributes (p 0.008) was found to be significantly different between the various levels of public health sector with good scores at MCH, TH and BPHC level and difference in scores was found to be significant with regards to availability of Basic Laboratory Services (p 0.032); Basic Diagnostic Equipments (p 0.031) and availability of drugs (p 0.005). Conclusions: Further improvement in this regard is necessary in the PHCs, BPHCs and CHCs.