Immunization Coverage And Barriers Among Children Of The Konda Reddi-Tribal Community Of Khammam District, Telangana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions for reducing child morbidity and mortality. However, tribal communities in India continue to face significant challenges in achieving full immunization coverage due to geographic remoteness, cultural beliefs, socioeconomic constraints, and inadequate health infrastructure. The Konda Reddi, classified as a Most Vulnerable Tribal Group (MVTG) of Telangana, inhabit remote forest and hill tracts where access to modern healthcare services remains critically limited. This study was undertaken to assess immunization coverage among Konda Reddi children, identify the barriers to vaccination, and examine the influence of parental education and household income on vaccine uptake. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 Konda Reddi mothers who had delivered within the preceding three years, selected from six villages of Aswaraopeta Mandal, Khammam District, Telangana, using the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling method. Data on child vaccination status, barriers to immunization, and socioeconomic determinants were collected through structured interviews. Of the 300 children studied, 81.0% (n=243) had received vaccinations while 19.0% (n=57) had incomplete or no vaccination schedules. The most prevalent barrier to immunization was child illness at the time of the vaccination session (33.3%), followed by lack of faith in vaccines (24.6%), fear of side effects (15.8%), distance and lack of transport (14.0%), mother's poor health (7.0%), and family-related problems (5.3%). Education and family income were identified as significant determinants of immunization uptake. Although immunization coverage among Konda Reddi children is appreciable relative to their generally poor health service utilization, gaps persist. Culturally sensitive community mobilization, mobile immunization outreach camps, and the engagement of indigenous health functionaries are recommended to achieve complete immunization coverage among this vulnerable tribal group.