Nabeel Rashid, Mazhar Ali, Ahmad Ali.
Factors affecting uptake of Childhood Immunization through EPI in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;16(1):537-41.

Background: Immunization prevents significant amount of childhood deaths around the globe. Pakistan is vaccinating children through EPI since 1978 against 9 diseases and is facing difficulties in achieving goal of vaccine coverage due to multiple reasons. Researches reveal that human resource, poor equipment and training of health care personnel are important factors for successful Immunization program. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify factors that affects uptake of vaccines in children of aging 12-23 months in Malakand District. Material and Methods: This is a cross sectional study which was conducted in Malakand between March-May 2015. A total of 208 mothers having children of age 12-23 months were interviewed through structured questionnaire. Total 10 (five rural and five urban) Union Councils of district Malakand were selected through random sampling. Results: About 77.4%% children were found fully immunized and 59.2 % were against Measles vaccines (two doses only). It was found that children who had siblings with incomplete immunization were less likely to be completely immunized. Conclusion: This study showed that LHW home visits , vaccination status of siblings and perception of permission of vaccination according to their belief were associated with uptake of immunization. Rural areas had better coverage than urban area.

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