ABSTRACT
An exit interview of the women accompanying the children of 0-2 years visiting the three large urban hospitals and three randomly selected rural primary health centres of Lucknow district was undertaken to assess the magnitude of problem of missed opportunity for immunization at health facilities. The WHO suggested protocol for the study was followed. Observations reveal that in 59.1% children, the opportunity to vaccinate was missed. Only 3% children had a true contraindication for vaccination. Also 44.6% of women accompanying the children and in the reproductive age group could have been immunized against tetanus. A high level of acceptability of immunization in those with missed opportunity was noted.
Subject(s)
Child Health Services , Child, Preschool , Communicable Disease Control , Developing Countries , Humans , India , Infant , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , VaccinationABSTRACT
Two hundred and ten female and two hundred and ten male children aged 1-2 years were identified using 30 cluster random sampling technique in the Nagar Palika of Sitapur. The immunization status was determined to assess differences, if any, in the coverage in accordance with the sex of the child. Except for measles, a significantly higher vaccination coverage was observed for male children as compared to females for every vaccine, this being 65.2 and 60.9%, respectively for DPT III and OPV III for males as compared to 51.9 and 49.5%, respectively for girls. The drop out rates for DPT and OPV were also found to be higher (p greater than 0.05) in female children. However, no difference was observed in the reasons for non-immunization between the female and male children.