Reasons for Low EPI Coverage Rates in Three Woredas of South West Ethiopia
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Date
1994-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Cross sectional surveys (EPI cluster survey and missed
opportuni ty exit survey), interviews with health workers, focus
group discussion, and observation of immunization activities, were
conducted in three woredas of South Western Ethiopia to determine
EPI coverage levels and to find out reasons for low coverage. The
study was carried out from November 1993 to February 1994. It was
found that the coverage rate was 42.1% for BCG, 24.4% for DPT3,
24.3% for OPV3, ?8.8% for measles, and 32.3% for maternal TT2.
The study has indicated that religion, occupation, educational
status and economic status of the parents and place of birth of the
child have influence on starting or non starting of immunization of
children while marital status of the mother and the number of under
five children do not.
Defaulting for childhood immunizations is 31.7% while it is
26.1% for maternal TT. Reasons for defaulting are: different
obstacles (48.5%), lack of information (36.4%), and lack of
motivation (9.2%).
For maternal TT, starting of immunization was influenced by
religion, occupational, educational and economic status of the
couple, number of children under five and place of birth of child
while it is not influenced by marital status of the mother.
Missed opportuni ty exi t survey revealed that missed
opportunity of immunization is 47.2% for women and 23.8% for
children. Important reasons are lack of information (27.1%) and no
offer from health workers (25%).
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Focus group discussion of caretakers, discussion with health
workers and observation of EPI activities were undertaken by the
principal investigator to clarify and strengthen the survey
findings and these revealed that indeed there are problems,
correction of which may lead to the intended goal of universal
child immunization.
Finally recommendations are made based on the study findings
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Low EPI Coverage Rates