Knowledge and perceptions of parents of children below 2 years of age towards immunization in twin cities of Pakistan a challenge for achieving millennium development goals

ABSTRACT

Immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions which have a large impact on public health. The main objective of the study is to assess knowledge and perceptions of parents regarding immunization of children less than two years of age in twin cities of Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate the knowledge and perception of parents regarding immunization practices. The sample size was calculated to be 382. Convenient sampling technique was used to select the respondents and semi-structured questionnaire was used in the region. After data collection, data was cleaned, coded and entered in SPSS version. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests [p<0.05] were performed to find out the differences among variables. Parents with Master's Degree and having monthly income between Rs20,000-30,000 had significantly better knowledge. While no significant differences [p<0.05] were found between the genders, age, occupation, city and number of children. The results of the present study concluded that knowledge of parents regarding immunization of children less than two years of age was not adequate but they had positive perceptions toward immunization. Besides the availability of EPI immunization guidelines for parents in the form of immunization card they miss schedules of immunization because they are unaware of the schedule, immunization timing of children, and knowledge about vaccine preventive diseases. There is a dire need to educate the people about its importance and to enhance their knowledge regarding diseases against which they must immunize their children less than two years of age?