Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: July | Volume: 10 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 63-69
A Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Immunization of Children Age 0-2 Years in Slums of Amritsar City, Punjab
Satpreet Kaur1, Sonu Prajapat2, H.C. Rawat3
1Nursing Officer, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
2Nursing Officer, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana
3Professor cum Principal, University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab
Corresponding Author: Satpreet Kaur
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the most significant contributions of the medical fraternity to mankind is the introduction of vaccines. Vaccines are a lifelong defense against illness. Vaccines not only protect one individual, they protect the society from the deadly diseases. Although, India manufactures and exports vaccine at a large scale but unfortunately it has one of the lowest vaccination coverage rates. India still accounts for the largest number of children which are not immunized i.e. 7.4 million. The full immunization coverage in slums was reported as 2.7% to 18.3% less as compared to non-slums.
Method: It was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in slums of Amritsar city. Amritsar city has acknowledged 64 slum areas according to the draft master plan 2011-2013 by PUDA Mohali in 2010. The eight slum areas were chosen by convenience sampling method and house to house survey was done. A total of 800 houses were surveyed with a total of 243 children age 0-2 years.
Results: Out of 243 children aged 0-2 years, 44.85% children were fully immunized, 34.15% were partially immunized and 20.98% were unimmunized. The most common source of information regarding immunization status was provided by health care workers i.e. 42.38%, followed by family/relatives 34.15% and then 17.28% was given by doctors. A large proportion of the children 189(77.77%) had received their immunization from government sectors followed by private sector 46(18.93%). In the present study, although the vaccination coverage was almost near by the National level data in terms of fully immunized status i.e. around 44.85% were fully immunized but in terms of vaccine specific coverage, it was less than national as well as state level data. The main reason for partial and non-immunization was lack of knowledge regarding immunization schedule with many respondents citing a combination of two factors i.e. lack of knowledge and lack of motivation. Regarding immunization schedule with many respondents citing a combination of two factors i.e. lack of knowledge and lack of motivation.
Conclusion: Consistent and sincere efforts are needed especially in the slum population in order to uplift the immunization coverage to a targeted level. There is a need of comprehensive strategy by the health personnel so as to bring out effective changes in the attitudes and practices of individuals regarding immunization of children. Providing only the resources for immunization is not enough rather health education plays an essential role which can go a long way in improving the prevailing scenario of immunization in the country.
Key words: Immunization, slums, 0-2 year children, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices.