309928
Reasons related to Under-vaccination and Non-vaccination among children in India
Background: India contributes to more than 20 percent of the child deaths in the world. Poor vaccination coverage has been identified as a leading cause of high child mortality rates in India, in spite of a free vaccination program for children. The aim of this study is to characterize the risk factors for under-vaccinations and non-vaccinations among children in India.
Methods: This study utilized the District Level Household and Facility Survey Data, 2008 (DLHS-3) from India. The vaccination status of the child was categorized as fully vaccinated, under-vaccinated and non-vaccinated based on whether the child received all, some, or none of the recommended vaccines (one dose each of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and measles, and at least 3 doses each of Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT) and Polio). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of under-vaccination compared to full-vaccination, and odds of non-vaccination compared to full-vaccination. Predictors used in the analysis were accessibility of healthcare services, antenatal care and delivery-care experiences, health-awareness, and exposure to immunization messages.
Results: The estimated proportions of under-vaccinated and non-vaccinated children were 28% and 51% respectively. Statistically significantly higher proportions with full vaccination were observed among children whose mothers had high levels of health-awareness and more exposures to immunization messages.
Conclusions: These results suggest that under-vaccination and non-vaccination among children in India could be reduced by improving health and vaccine awareness, which may require multifaceted and tailored strategies.
Learning Areas:
EpidemiologyOther professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate the risk factors for under-vaccinations and non-vaccinations among children in India
Keyword(s): Epidemiology, Child Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of this project, this is the first paper of my PhD dissertation. I am a doctoral candidate in the department of epidemiology, school of public health, at University of Michigan.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.