Effect of Maternal Literacy on Immunization Completeness in Children Under 2 Years of Age – Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association of different levels of education with complete immunization in children under 2 years of age. Study Design and Setting: The study was cross sectional analytical and was carried by online survey of mothers living in Karachi. The study was conducted through a period of 4 months from May 2021 to August 2021. Methodology: The sample size of 270 mothers was calculated using a 95% Confidence Level and using the Epi Info Application. The data was collected using a closed-ended online questionnaire via Google Forms. Due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, the questionnaires had to be distributed online. The data was analyzed using SPSS V23. The statistical test used was Fisher Exact Test to determine whether or not the relationship between maternal education and immunization rate was significant. . Results: A total of 270 responses were recorded from mothers of various socio-economic statuses. It was observed that as the level of education increased from no formal education to a higher level of education, the percentage of children completely vaccinated increased from 76.9% to 92.7%. Upon statistical testing using Fisher Exact Test, the p-value was found to be 0.017 which is less than the alpha value of 0.05 showing that the relationship between the 2 variables is significant. Conclusion: The study had shown that the children of mothers with a higher level of education were associated with a higher likelihood of being fully vaccinated than children of mothers with a lower level of education