Coverage of Japanese Encephalitis vaccine among children 12-36 months of age of migrant workers and factors determining it in metro city of Southern Karnataka– A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Vaccination is the most successful and cost-effective weapon against vaccines preventable diseases including Japanese Encephalitis(JE). Every year 3 billion people globally are at a risk of getting infected and 68,000 clinical manifest the disease with 6000 deaths. Frequent shifts of places, poor knowledge and lower socioeconomic status make children of migrant workers suffer from JE. Objectives were to assess the coverage of JE vaccine among children 12-36 months of age of migrant workers; to identify the reasons for partial and no-immunisation and to determine factors associated with coverage.

Methods:

A community based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 280 children 12-36 months aged residing in migrant areas of urban areas of southern Karnataka. Cluster sampling method was adopted. Data was collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using Epi InfoTM version-7.2.1.

Results:

Out of 280 children who were from JE endemic districts, 216(77.14%) received JE-1st dose and 64(22.86 %) did not receive. Out of 207 children who were eligible for JE-2nd dose, 85(41.06%) received vaccine and 122(58.94%) did not receive. The most common reasons for partial/no immunization were migration, unaware of need for immunization, busy schedule of parents etc. There was a significant association between age of the child and presence of immunization card with JE vaccine uptake.

Conclusion: Coverage of JE-1st and 2nd dose was 77.14% and 41.06%. Awareness must be generated regarding initiation and continuation of vaccination, capacity building of health workers and better utilization of the services provided by the government.