Assessment of Routine Vaccination Coverage among Selected Sample of Children less Than Five Years

Abstract

Background: Immunization is today one of the safest, most cost-effective, and powerful means of preventing deaths and improving lives. Over the years, all countries of the world have incorporated an increasingly broad immunization agenda in their public health interventions.

Objective: To assess the coverage rate of routine vaccination among selected sample of children under five years of age  in the Baquba City, and to determine the relationship between  routine vaccination coverage rate and some socio- demographic factors  in addition to the causes for  in-complete or un-vaccination.

Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Baquba City, center of Diyala Province, for the period from 1/9/2016- 1/2/2017. Data of vaccination coverage of children less than 5 years of age was extracted from child' vaccination coverage card or by recall information from mothers attending Al-Batul teaching hospital and some PHC centers in Diyala province.

Results: A total of 130 cases were studied, of them 23.1% (30) cases were fully immunized (they had been given all the vaccines required for their age in the immunization schedule). Partially immunized were found in 71.1 % (95) and 3.8% (5) cases of them were un –vaccinated.  High statistically significant relationship was found with gender, and non –significant relation with age, residence, displacement and location of health center. Low awareness of mother to the schedule, congenital anomalies and family instability were main causes for non-vaccination.

Conclusion: The rate of fully immunized children was low in comparison with those of partially immunized, and a low rate for non-vaccinated children. Hence, it is important to promote vaccination system by the efforts of health officers and the community.