Abstract

The objective of present study was to assess the knowledge towards childhood immunization among mothers and examining the reasons for incomplete immunization. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of immunization among 377 mothers. Information regarding socio-demographic variables, gender disparity ratio, urban rural inequality ratio and reasons for incomplete immunization was collected from mothers bearing children of age 3 years. Around 115 (30.50%) children were partially immunized. Unavailability of vaccine was found to be the major reason for incomplete immunization. The association between gender and immunization status was found to be statistically significant (p=0.027).The association between mother’s education and knowledge score was statistically significant in our study (p=0. 005). A statistically significant association was found between area of residence and knowledge score towards immunization in our study (p=0.001). Mother’s education and area of residence was found to get associated with knowledge of immunization. However, knowledge towards immunization and immunization status was not significantly associated. It shows a very good progression regarding awareness of immunization. In recent days electronic media and anganwadi worker’s efforts in raising consciousness about the importance of immunization might increase the immunization rate irrespective of knowledge and area of residence of people.

Key words: Immunization, Knowledge, gender disparity ratio, immunization status