Routine immunization in children and unsatisfactory polio campaigns; a cross sectional survey conducted at darul sehat hospital, Karachi

Objective: to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers on routine immunization and to study factors for unsatisfactory Polio campaigns

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Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Darul Sehat hospital from 1st March 2015 to 31st May 2015. Sampling type was non probability convenience and sample size was 210. Mothers who brought their children for routine immunization or any other illness of their own or their children, and accompanying women with children below the age of five years were included in the study. Women from other than the local areas, those unable to perceive the questions due to any illness or language problem and those who were accompanying a critically ill child, were excluded

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Results: "Mandatory for child health" [95%] was the most common reason for complete vaccination while missing vaccination card was the main reason for incomplete vaccination [33%]. Most common reason of polio vaccination refusal was misconception about campaigns [22%]. Two hundred and two [98%] participants indicated that vaccine provided protection from major killer diseases. One hundred and ninety [94%] were in favor of routine immunization. Two hundred and eight [99%] brought a child regularly for routine immunization. Routine polio vaccination coverage was 99.58% while that for National Immunization Days [NID] polio was 87%

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Conclusion: majority of participants thought that routine immunization protects children from major killer diseases and Polio campaigns are necessary for eradicating Polio. Majority was in favor of routine immunization and brought children regularly for routine immunization. Misconception about Polio campaigns is the main hurdle in Polio eradication and that is the reason why NID Polio coverage is lacking behind