Child Immunization: Knowledge among Mothers in a North Karnataka Hospital

Abstract

Aim of the study: Immunization can be considered as a boon to the human kind as it helps to eradicate diseases. It has contributed to curtailing the mortality of children under-5 years in India. Giving awareness to the parents is the first and foremost factor to achieve the goal.
 Methods and Materials: This study is carried out for a period of 8 months at Navodaya Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Raichur on the title “Knowledge of Mothers about the Children Immunization Status in Pediatric Inpatient and Outpatient Department” and the sample size was 2000 mothers who have visited department of paediatric with their children.
 Result: It was observed that only 60% of the mothers were having knowledge about BCG, Hep A, Hep B, DTP and Polio. Although it is a fairly good knowledge score, the mothers were not informed about the need, dosing schedule of many vaccines.
 Conclusion: Our study concluded that the extent of knowledge, attitude and practice of parents about child vaccination is very important. This study reflects that the majority of the respondents were having only partial knowledge about vaccination. The reason could be poor education and low awareness about immunization and vaccines in rural areas.
 Keywords: Immunization, vaccine, awareness, paediatric.