Prevalence And Determinants of Missed Childhood Vaccination Among Infants Between 0-23 Months At THQ Shakargarh, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and the risk factors of missed immunization among infants between
0-23 months at Shakar Garh, Pakistan.
Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. The sample of 334 participants
was selected through stratified random from the area of Shakarghar. The immunization data was collected
through the parents or guardians of the children. The information regarding demographic variables and risk
factors was collected through a self-developed questionnaire. The data was entered into SPSS for analysis.
Descriptive analysis, Chi-square, and regression analysis were applied to the data.
Results: Our findings showed that the adjusted prevalence of missed immunization is 32%. The prevalence
of missed immunization decreased with good knowledge about immunization. A multivariate logistic
regression analysis indicated that parents' education, income level, access to TV, radio, and internet, distance
from a health care facility, the attitude of health workers, and rural lifestyle were risk factors for missed
immunization, p<0.05.
Conclusion: Nearly one-quarter of infants in the study area were missed their immunization. Parents'
education, income, access to technology, and the attitude of health workers are all important factors in
determining partial and un-immunization. So in countries like Pakistan, the health system should focus on
increasing health workers' communication skills to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in low-
resource areas.