Factors Affecting Immunization Coverage of Children in Rural Area in Tamil Nadu Jeevaraj Janani1,*, Narayanan Jahnavi1, Preethi J. Sharon1, Charumathi B.2, Dutta Ruma3, Jain Timsi4 1Final year MBBS Students, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Thandalam, District Kanchipuram 2Post Graduate, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Thandalam, District Kanchipuram 3Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Thandalam, District Kanchipuram 4Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Thandalam, District Kanchipuram *Corresponding Author, Janani Jeevaraj Final Year MBBS Student, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, e-mail: jananijeevaraj@gmail.com
Online published on 23 December, 2019. Abstract Background Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are one of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality among children in India. They are still responsible for over 0.5 million deaths annually in the country. Worldwide, about 2.5 million deaths of under-5 children are averted annually by immunization. Objectives To assess the current status of immunization of children during the first year of life and analyze the factors affecting immunization coverage during the first year of life in Kuthambakkam district in Tamil Nadu. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuthambakkam village in Tamil Nadu. The Sample size of 195 was calculated. The study population was selected by simple random sampling technique. A pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data after obtaining informed consent. Data entered in MS excel and analyzed using proportion. Results Out of the 195 cases studied, 87% of the children were completely immunized, 12% were partially immunized and only 1% was non-immunized. 59% had adverse effects following immunization (AEFI) and 39% waited for more than 1 hour to be immunized, but 94% were satisfied with the services they received. 41% of the mothers and 37% of the fathers received education up to a secondary school level, and 57% of the respondents worked in skilled and semi-skilled professions. Conclusion The delivery of routine immunization services to Indian children appears to have improved. Regular systematic reviews of the immunization coverage data and expansion of vaccination services are recommended. Top Keywords Immunization, childhood vaccination trends, inequity, immunization coverage. Top |