Peer-reviewed article
Factors Associated with Delayed Routine Immunisation in Children under 5 Years of Age in an Urban Slum Area
Dattaprasad Avinash Sawant, Siddhant Rane, Anuradha Kunal Shah, Mayuri Umesh Raul ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
Limitations
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: There is increased coverage of vaccines under Universal Immunization Programme to tackle vaccine-preventable diseases; however, urban India faces several challenges in childhood vaccination. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 229 parents or primary caregivers of children under 5 years of age who reside in the urban slum of Malwani, Mumbai, from June to August 2021. Data were collected using a pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Out of 229 children, 98 (42.8%) were girls and 131 (57.2%) were boys. Majority were in the age group 0–1 year ( n = 167, 72.9%). Around 145 parents (63.3%) knew the benefits of immunisation, 193 parents (84.3%) thought that immunisation is essential for children and 171 parents (74.7%) knew the immunisation schedule of their children. A large proportion of children, i.e., 76.4% (175/229), got delayed immunisation and 35.4% (81/229) had missed their scheduled immunisation. Conclusions: Healthcare-related factors and lack of awareness in parents are the prime reasons for both delayed and missed immunisation. Strengthening the urban healthcare delivery system, especially in urban slums and active community participation, will help to increase child immunisation coverage.