Availability of Expanded Programme of Immunization services provided to children in a rural Pakistani village

Objectives: To evaluate the immunization status of children under 5 years age, living in the Nurpur Shahan area and to identify various factors which influenced the rate of immunization.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in which mothers of children under 5 years of age were questioned about the immunization of their children and the immunization services provided in the area.Systematic random sampling was used and the collected data was analyzed using SPSS v. 10.0. Results: The overall immunization rate in the children of Nurpur Shahan was 77.4%. This study foundstrong correlations to immunization rates in children. Increased educational status of the mother, greater maternal immunization during pregnancy, and home delivery of vaccines, were all directly linked to higher rates of immunization amongst children. Lack of awareness, followed by inadequate facilities were the most commonly cited reasons for discontinuing the programme or abstaining from it altogether.Conclusion: The EPI coverage in Nurpur Shahan is quite well established, but still left room for improvement.Factors that encouraged higher immunization rates were more educated mothers, better awareness and availability of door-to-door services.