Vaccination coverage assessment survey in Mangalore (urban), Karnataka.

A vaccination coverage assessment survey regarding the U.I.P. vaccines, among 210 children aged 12-23 months and 210 mothers of infants was undertaken in Mangalore (urban) in February--March 1991, with the specific objectives of assessing the extent of achievement here of the U.I.P. objectives for the vaccine coverages, and identifying the reasons for immunization failures as well the sources of immunization. The sample population was selected by the standard WHO. 30 cluster sampling technique. A door-to-door survey was undertaken in the study population and the data was elicited by interview of mothers (and confirmed from vaccination cards or registers if available). The investigator inquired about DPT 3, OPV 3, one dose each of BCG and Measles vaccine and TT2/B for mothers. The coverages for the individual vaccines were observed as follows (and indicated in parentheses) DPT 3 (91.9%) OPV 3 (92.3%), BCG (91%), Measles vaccine (69.5%) and TT2/B for mothers (94.7%). The drop-out rates from first to third dose of both DPT and OPV were observed to be 2.5%. The major reasons for immunization failures were reported to be unawareness of need, illness of child, and fear of side reaction. Hospitals were availed of more than private sources for immunization services. The universal immunization coverage in Mangalore (urban) was found to be highly satisfactory.

A study of two-weekly incidence of ARI in under-five children of rural area of Alwar (Rajasthan).

A retrospective study of two-weekly incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the under-five children of rural area of Alwar District (Rajasthan) based on the previous fourteen days' recall by the mothers was undertaken during December 1989 to assess the magnitude of the problem and its' risk factors. The two-weekly ARI incidence was reported to be 33 episodes per 100 under-fives. Mothers in higher socio-economic strata reported higher incidence of ARI for their children due to more accurate recall. Majority of ARI cases (76 per cent) were found to be of mild degree. 26 per cent of deaths in under-fives during the previous year were reported to be ARI-related. 50 per cent of ARI cases were left untreated. Among the treated group, private practitioners were found to be the main source of health care.