Background:

The childhood vaccine-preventable diseases are commonly prevalent in developing countries. The aim of this research was to identify & assess the defaulters of vaccination against poliomyelitis.

Objective:

To assess defaultering in routine immunization among childrenat taluka Qasimabad, Sindh.          

Methodology:

Study Setting & Design:This was a cross sectional, community-based study.

Study Population:

Registered defaulters of routine immunizationat age 0-59 months reporting at EPI centers during period of three months (April-June 2019)

Sample Size & Sampling Technique:

Two hundred & sixty children were selected throughconvenient sampling technique.

Data Collection Tool & Analysis:

Data was collected on a preformed questionnaire at designated EPI centers through volunteers’ teams.The gender of children, socio-demographic profile of the parents, distance of EPI center, ante-natal & post-natal visits, vaccination status, reasons for vaccine defaulting were the variables of special interest. Chi-square test was used to seek associations with a 0.05 level of significance.

Results:The mothers' educational level was significantly linked to their ignorance of the value of routine immunization (p=0.03), and the adverse reactions to immunization were likewise significantly linked to their failure to comply with routine immunization (p=0.04).  The number of ante-natal visits undertaken by mothers were associated with childrens’ vaccination status (p=0.04). Parents opined that the vaccine had negative side effects after vaccination (p=0.00).

Conclusion:

The defaultering in vaccination is closely related to the number of ante-natal & post-natal visits undertaken by mothers, the educational status of parents, awareness regarding importance of childhood vaccination & parental fear of adverse effects arising from vaccination. Multi-sectoral approach is needed in raising awareness on this issue.

Key words: defaulters, vaccination, poliomyelitis, routine immunization, assessment, vaccine campaigns.