Up-to-date and age appropriate immunization coverage of EPI vaccines among children in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Background: Vaccination through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, which has resulted in reduction in the morbidity and mortality from a number of vaccine preventable diseases. This study aimed to investigate up-to-date and age-appropriate EPI immunization coverage in two districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted between October, 2007 and December, 2007. A total of 420 children of 12-23 months were studied. The thirty clusters sampling technique by World Health Organization was used to collect the data. The “up-to-date” and “age appropriate” immunization coverage for the children was determined for both the districts. Pearson’s Chi-square test for categorical and T-test for continuous variables were used. Results: Overall 73.1% (CI=67.0-79.1%) of the children between 12-23 months had received “up-to-date” immunization in District Bagh. However, only 16.5 % (CI= 11.2-21.7%) were age-appropriately immunized. The dropout rates for DTP vaccine was 11.4% (CI=9.9-15.3%). For District Neelum, overall 60.5 % (CI=51.6-69.8%) children of 12-23 months had received “up-to-date” immunization. Only 33.3 % (CI=22.7%-44.0%) of children were age-appropriately immunized. The dropout rates for District Neelum for DTP vaccine was 28.2% (CI=21.3-35.7%). Conclusion: While up-to-date immunization coverage is above 60%, age appropriate immunization coverage is very low and almost less than 30% in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.