EPI COVERAGE UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN PERIURBAN AREA

Background: Immunization is the most simple and effective way of protecting our children from serious illnesses. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of children under 5 years of age getting immunized according to the EPI schedule and to assess the knowledge and attitude of parents regarding immunization. 

Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in BHU Palosi which is a peri urban of Peshawar, Pakistan in 2021.A non-probability convenient sampling technique was used. Children under 5 years of age both male and female were included. Data was collected from the parents of about 200 children by interviews using a self-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were displayed and chi square test used to assess association. 

Results: In our results 184(92%) children out of 200 were vaccinated and 16(8%) were unvaccinated. Literacy rate of the parents was assessed and it was found that 159 fathers were literate and 41 were illiterate. 93% of the total literate fathers vaccinated their children while 39% of the total illiterate fathers vaccinated their children. Moreover 139 parents believed that vaccination is safe for their children while 61 were not sure regarding its safety still vaccination rate was 89 % and 93 % respectively among both categories. Vaccination centre was accessible to 87% of the participants while 13 % of the parents said that its tough for them to reach to the vaccination centre. Total 192 parents were aware at the time of birth of their children that vaccination is important for their children, among them 178 vaccinated their children (92%). While 8% weren‘t aware that vaccination is important, still 6 of them vaccinated their children.

Recommendations: In order to increase the vaccination rate in the peri urban areas, the number of BHUs should be increased and made accessible according to the population size and area. Regular awareness campaigns should be held and differences should be shown to the residents in the form of pictures, between vaccinated and unvaccinated children in case of potential future diseases. Accountability of vaccination centers is also necessary in order to ensure that all vaccines reach the targeted audience effectively.