A study on awareness and utilization of Mission Indradhanush in an urban slum of Bhubaneswar

BACKGROUND: India records 5 lakh child-deaths annually due to vaccine preventable diseases. As a strategic endeavor, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, launched Mission Indradhanush in December 2014 to achieve more than 90% full immunization coverage by the year 2020. OBJECTIVES: To assess the awareness of the respondents about Mission Indradhanush, to assess their attitude and practices regarding childhood immunization, and to determine the association between knowledge and practice with selected variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken from June to September 2017 among mothers with children aged 12–23 months in urban slums under field practice area of Community Medicine Department, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar. RESULTS: Mean age of the children was 17.23 ± 3.43 months; 65% were males and 35% females. Mean age of the respondents was 24.48 ± 3.97 years; 68% were literate and 94% were Hindus. Majority (76%) belonged to upper-lower Kuppuswamy socio-economic status scale. Only 10% had heard about Mission Indradhanush; health worker (90%) being the most common source of information. A total of 91% believed that vaccination prevented disease. A total of 96% believed that immunization was important for their children. A total of 73% had the maternal and child protection card with them. A total of 72% of children were fully immunized. Of the 28% partially vaccinated children, only 12.5% had heard about Mission Indradhanush. Reasons stated for partial immunization were mother too busy, child illness, and lack of information. CONCLUSION: Very few participants had heard about Mission Indradhanush in this study although most of them were aware of immunization services. Strengthening of Information, Education, Communication (IEC) activities regarding the program—Mission Indradhanush—needs attention. The immunization coverage was satisfactory.