S. Vijaya Kumari 1 , M. L. Surya Prabha 2
BACKGROUND Immunisation plays an important role in reducing child mortality and morbidity. Although availability and accessibility for immunisation are high in urban areas, utilisation of services was low. Considerable efforts are required to ensure adequate vaccine coverage to reduce morbidity and mortality among children. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the aim to assess the immunisation coverage and factors influencing among children between 13 months to 60 months of age enrolled in Anganwadi Centres in a field practice area of Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study conducted in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre and collected necessary details from Anganwadi worker children between ages 13 months to 60 months from September 2016 to October 2016. Children were labelled as ‘fully immunised, partially immunised and not immunised’ according to working definitions. Percentages and chisquare test analysis was done for statistical analysis. RESULTS Out of the 202 under-five children, 70.79% were immunised for age, 29.21% were partially immunised and none were unimmunised. The most common reason for partial immunisation was stated to be ill health of the child at the time of vaccination 43.08% followed by fear of fever following vaccination (20.33%). CONCLUSION Regular health education sessions, and regular reminders and removal of misconceptions prevailing among people will solve the problems of partial immunisation.
