Determinants of awareness regarding immunization among parents of children residing in an urban slum of a metro city

Authors

  • Sandeep S. Hedaoo Department of Public Health, District Hospital, Washim, Maharashtra, India
  • Swati R. Deshpande Department of Community Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Vijay L. Badge Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Akola, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183592

Keywords:

Immunisation, Urban slum, Knowledge

Abstract

Background: Many families lack accurate information and knowledge about need for immunization, the need for subsequent dose(s), and the importance of completing the entire immunization schedule. Considering this fact present study was undertaken to identify the factors influencing knowledge of parents regarding immunization.

Methods: It’s a cross sectional study conducted for a period of one year in an urban slum area of Malad, Mumbai. Children aged 12-24 months in the study area were included and their parents interviewed using semi structured questionnaire which was validated with the help of a pilot study.

Results: Ninety seven percent respondents had heard about immunization. Only 2.8% of them were not aware about immunization. Total 30.5% of respondents could correctly identify the purpose of immunization i.e. protection of child from disease. Almost 65.2% of them did not know vaccines given under national immunization program. Fever (72.3%) was commonest side effect reported by respondents followed by swelling (38.3%). Reasons for lack of knowledge were ignorance about immunization (31.0%), followed by enough information was not received from health providers (24.1%).

Conclusions: Knowledge regarding immunisation is very poor among the residents of urban slums of Mumbai. IEC material regarding immunization should be displayed in waiting areas of immunization clinic and several strategic places in the community. There is a need for additional training or capacity building of health workers to improve their attitudes towards clients, and to strengthen their ability to counsel regarding immunization.

Author Biography

Sandeep S. Hedaoo, Department of Public Health, District Hospital, Washim, Maharashtra, India

Class II officer

References

World Health Organization. Sixty-Fifth World Health Assembly. 2012; (WHA65/2012/REC/1): 126. Available at: http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/ pdf_files/WHA65-REC1/A65_REC1-en.pdf. Accessed 10 March 2018.

Sharma S. Immunization coverage in India, Institute of Economic Growth Immunization Coverage in India Suresh Sharma Institute of Economic Growth University Enclave, Delhi India. 2007: 2–27.

Uddin MJ, Larson CP, Oliveras E, Khan AI, Quaiyum MA, Saha NC. Child immunization coverage in urban slums of Bangladesh: Impact of an intervention package. Health Policy Plan. 2010;25(1):50–60.

Park K. Park’s Text Book of Preventive and Social Medicine. 21st edition. Jabalpur (India): Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2011: 404.

Etana B. Factors Affecting Immunization Status of Children Aged 12-23 Months in Ambo Woreda, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State [PhD diss.]. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Addis Ababa University; 2011.

Mapatano MA, Kayembe K, Piripiri L, Nyandwe K. Immunization-related knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers in Kinshasa, demographic Republic of the Congo. SA Fam Pract. 2008;50(2):61.

Banerjee J. Child Health and Immunization Status in an Unregistered Mumbai Slum; 2010.

Ahmad J, Khan M, Hazra A. Increasing Complete Immunization in Rural Uttar Pradesh. J Fam Welf. 2010;56:65–72.

Qidwai W, Ali SS, Ayub S, Ayub S. Original Article Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Immunization Among Family Practice Patients. JDUHS. 2007;1(1):15–9.

Freeman PA, Thomason JA, Bukenya GB. Factors affecting the use of immunization among urban settlement dwellers in Papua New Guinea. P N G Med J. 1992;35(3):179-85.

Al-Zahrani J. Knowledge, attitude and practice of parents towards childhood vaccination. Majmaah J Health Sci. 2013;1(1):29-38

Sara D, Padam S, Teijlingen ERV, Rai LD. Parents’ Knowledge and Practices to Childhood Immunisation in Nepal: Implications for Health Policy. Health Sci J. 2013;7(4):370-83.

Abdulraheem IS, Onajole AT, Jimoh AAG, Oladipo AR. Reasons for incomplete vaccination and factors for missed opportunities among rural Nigerian children. J Public Heal Epidemiol. 2011;3(4):194–203.

Downloads

Published

2018-08-24

How to Cite

Hedaoo, S. S., Deshpande, S. R., & Badge, V. L. (2018). Determinants of awareness regarding immunization among parents of children residing in an urban slum of a metro city. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 5(9), 4037–4042. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183592

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles