Awareness regarding the advantages of expanded program on immunization among mothers having children less than Five years of age

Awareness regarding the advantages of expanded program on immunization

Abstract

Immunization is characterized as the procedure by which people immune system becomes resistant against pathogens by administration of vaccine. The EPI plan includes administrating BCG/OPV during childbirth, three dosages of vaccines at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, and measles at 9 and 15 months of age.

Objective: To find out the awareness regarding the advantage s of Expanded Progam on Immunization (EPI) among mothers having children less than 5 years of age.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Pediatric and Gynecological Departments of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, over a period of 4 months. The data were collected through pretested questionnaire from 150 mothers using the convenient sampling technique. Data were tabulated and analyzed with the help of SPSS version 21.0. Frequencies were calculated and Pearson chi-square test was applied.

Results: Out of 150 mothers included in the study, 99.3% mothers were aware about EPI, while 33.3% mothers had detailed information regarding advantages of EPI. Analysis revealed a significant association between maternal education and awareness of Expanded Program on Immunization.

Conclusions: Based on the results of the current study, mother's awareness, education level, detailed information, willingness towards immunization and source of information regarding the benefits of immunization significantly affected for