ARSHAD ALI, NAJMUS SAHAR

ABSTRACT

Objective: Expanded program for immunization (EPI) is working in our country for many decades but despite of the widespread campaign in print & audio-visual media, active efforts by health care providers, EPI coverage is not very satisfactory. In this study we tried to find out the reasons, why the parents attending a tertiary care hospital for treatment of their sick children, were not utilizing free services of vaccination. Subjects & Methods: It was a comparative cross sectional study, conducted in paediatric department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. A questionnaire was designed and filled by the doctors & final year MBBS students. Informal consent was taken from parents of patients attending both the Pediatric OPD and Indoor department. Results: The percentage of various vaccines received by those who were partially immunized were; BCG 42%, DPT 23.7%, Hepatitis B 6.2% and measles 1%. Hib vaccine was not included in national EPI schedule at the time of study. There was a marked difference in the causes of no immunization & partial immunization. The important cause in no immunization was lack of awareness in 46% of cases. In partially immunized group the important cause was adverse reaction to previous vaccination 7.2%, sickness of child in 18.5% and missing of vaccination card in 15% of cases while 66% have more than one cause. Conclusion: The poor compliance for EPI programme was mainly due to lack of awareness of the parents about importance of vaccination for their children. Key words: Partial Immunization, No Immunization

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

Pediatric Unit-II Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi