Study on Immunization Status of Slumdwelling Children Living in Gazipur

Abstract

Immunization has been one of Bangladesh's greatest public health success stories . However, it is a challenge to ensure that all children of Bangladesh benefit equitably from this intervention, because extremely poor have lack of awareness, lack of time and money to use basic health services. This study was performed to assess the present immunization status of slum-dwelling child, to understand the reasons for not getting immunizations, and to identify the impact of mother`s age, education, tetanus immunization and birth order of the child on immunization status. For this face to face interview was performed with 200 parent or primary caregiver of slum-dwelling child aged ≤ 60 months through a standard questionnaire. Valid immunization coverage was significantly lower (48.50%) in slum dwelling areas compared to the national level coverage (71%),but drop-out rate(40%) and invalid doses reception rate (10.50%) were higher compared with national level (33%) and (7%). 98% parent or primary caregiver at least knew about vaccination and 95% to retain the vaccination card. Analysis showed that, among the valid dose recipient children`s mother 83.51% had some level of schooling, 88.66% aged between 18-30 years and 67.01% received proper tetanus immunization during their pregnancy. Findings of the study also showed that major source of information about vaccination was health care provider (35.86%), major reasons for dropout was lack of concern (57.50%). Most common problem faced during vaccination was long waiting time (17.48 %). Furthermore the study also revealed that 81.50% parent or primary caregiver prefer morning session to vaccinate their child while (56.93%) prefer vaccination center as a choice of vaccination place. On the other hand slum dwelling child`s mother and father childhood vaccination rate were 57.50% and 46% respectively and 19% siblings completed immunization. Among valid dose recipient child 71.13% were first child of the parent. At the end we can say that present immunization status of slum dwelling child is not up to the mark. So, to increase awareness mass media and health campaign can play vital role. At the same time Govt. should come forward to minimize long waiting time, unofficial fee and shortage of vaccine by ensuring sufficient number of center, health care provider and quality vaccine.