Peer-reviewed article

From Estimated Targets to Verified Coverage: Implementation of a Community Health Worker-Based Tracking Intervention to Address Denominator Inaccuracies in High-Risk Urban Settings of Balochistan, Pakistan.

Rubab Kamran, Maliha Fatima, Babar Shahid, Muhammad Ayaz, Farid Ullah Khan et al. · 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Routine immunization programs in Pakistan rely heavily on estimated population denominators, limiting accurate identification and follow-up of zero-dose and under-immunized children, particularly in high-risk urban settings such as Quetta, Balochistan. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-post implementation study was conducted from June 2024 to June 2025 across three low-performing union councils. A CHW-based household tracking tool was integrated within existing PEI-EPI systems. Data were derived from CHW Books, Rapid Convenience Assessments (RCA), and routine MIS reports. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to assess trends in immunization coverage and program performance; no inferential statistical tests were applied due to the use of complete programmatic (census-based) data rather than sampled observations. Results: Antigen-specific coverage improved substantially, with Penta-3 coverage increasing from 22% to 95%, zero-dose conversion from 45% to 65%, and defaulter follow-up from 14% to 79%. All three union councils transitioned to Category 1 operational status. Administrative coverage exceeding 100%, reflecting population-level coverage and denominator correction rather than true population-level coverage. Conclusions: Integrating CHW-based tracking with dynamic denominator verification enhances routine immunization, microplanning, equity, and operational performance in high-risk LMIC urban settings.