Psychosocial Determinants Of Immunisation Status Of Children In An Urban Slum In Maharashtra, India

Background: Immunization is the most cost effective public health interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from vaccine preventable diseases. Urban slums constitute a high risk area for such diseases. To gauge the psychosocial determinants of immunisation status of children, this study was conducted in an urban slum area in Maharashtra, India.

Methods: All children less than the age of five years were included in the study. Data was collected by conducting house to house visits after line listing of the relevant houses, using a pre-tested and pre-validated interview schedule. Statistical method of estimation was used for psychosocial determinants with respect to complete immunization, partial immunized and non-immunization percentages by 95% confidence interval.

The results: No significant difference was found in the immunisation status of boys and girls. Maximum number of first birth order children was found to be fully immunized.

Conclusion: A variety of psychosocial factors influenced the immunisation status of children in this set-up. There is a felt need to educate the community and increase awareness so that the status of immunisation improves. Stress should be laid on the completion of immunisation of every child.