Reasons for Incomplete Vaccination in Children of Rawalpindi and Islamabad

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To identify the reasons for incomplete vaccination in children of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. STUDY DESIGN: A Cross sectional study PLACE & DURATION: Yusra Medical and Dental College, Islamabad conducted from 1st March 2015 to 30th August 2015. METHODOLOGY: A survey was conducted by a group of undergraduate medical students by randomly selected public places in various urban areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to find out various reasons for incomplete vaccination in children. All the documentations were dealt according to questionnaire addressing the apprehensions, fears and administrative issues pertaining to health providers. RESULTS: A total children sampled were 803, out of which 70.6%were completely vaccinated, 4.1% had ongoing vaccination status, 4.4% were partially vaccinated, and 20.7% were never vaccinated. Most of the parents 63%who never vaccinated their children were either uneducated or had only primary education. 61.1% of parents lived in slums and their children were never vaccinated. 15.4% of parents had no knowledge about vaccination/EPI. 84.3% of the parents had no idea about their area vaccinators. Long waiting (>04-05 hours) time at the health facility was seen in 64.7% interviewed parents. 55.3% parents had apprehension for long distance to the health facility.40.0%, think vaccines cause diseases and had side effects. In 38% area vaccinator never came. While 34% had mistrust on health staff. CONCLUSION: Long waiting time at vaccination centers, fear of reuse of syringes, long distances to the health care facilities, lack of awareness about beneficial and harmful effects of vaccines, and mistrust on the health staffs are the important reasons for incomplete vaccination in children of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.