Study of determinants of immunization status among under-five children attending OPD in a rural health center of the tertiary health care institute

CONTEXT: The risk of morbidities from vaccine-preventable diseases is highest in those who experience barriers in accessing immunization services. This spectrum could be affordability, accessibility, lack of awareness about immunization services and their health benefits or other limiting factors. The present study aimed to identify maternal and other determinants of immunization status. AIM: To identify maternal and other determinants of immunization status of under-five children. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: An OPD based cross sectional survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Non-randomized sample of 194 children (1-5 years) and mothers attending OPD in study duration were examined and interviewed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was analysed with SPSS version 20 applying appropriate tests. RESULTS: Out of 194 children, 128 (65.98%) were completely immunized, 45 (23.2%) were partially immunized and 21 (10.82%) were not immunized. Study showed significant association between immunization status and sex of children (P 0.0004), permanent residence (P 0.00001), birth order (P 0.0007), institutional births (P 0.00001), presence of the immunization card (P 0.00001), distance from centre (P 0.0002), age (P 0.00001) and education of mothers (P 0.0001). Association with Religion was statistically non-significant (P 0.0071). Nearness of immunization centre was the main motivating factor for full immunization, whereas unawareness about the need of immunization was prime cause of partial and non-immunization. CONCLUSION: Present study depicts low immunization completion rate and highlights determinants associated with it. This could be addressed through strong political commitment, infrastructure development and community outreach to achieve the goal of universal immunization.