Lodha N et al: Immunization status of 12-23 month children of urban Jamnagar www.jrmds.in Journal of Research in Medical and Dental Science | Vol. 2 | Issue 1 | January – March 2014 51 Original Article IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF 12-23 MONTHS CHILDREN OF URBAN JAMNAGAR Lodha Nitin*, Bhavsar Sudip**, Patel Mehul**, Sarkar Amrita**,Mehta Jitesh***, Parmar Dipesh**** *Tutor, **Resident,***Associate Professor,****Professor & Head Department of Community Medicine, Shri M P Shah Govt Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India DOI : 10.5455/jrmds.2014219 ABSTRACT Background: Immunization is one of most cost effective public health intervention. Aims: (1) To assess immunization status among children of 12-23 months age group (2) To find out left out/dropout rate (3) To check association of socio demographic factors with immunization status. Material & Methods: A cross sectional study of sample 240 children aged between 12 to 23 months (using 30 cluster sampling technique) from Jamnagar municipal corporation area. Immunization of child was assessed through immunization card, presence of BCG scar & interview. Results: Out of 240 children, Coverage of BCG-99.58%, OPV0-94.58%, DPT1-98.33%, DPT2-96.67%, DPT3- 95.42%, OPV1-96.67%, OPV2-95.83%, OPV3-4.58%. Coverage of HepB1, HepB2, and HepB3 were 73.33%, 70.42%, 68.75% respectively. Coverage of measles was 87.75%. Fully immunized children were 65%. Vaccine dropout of BCG-Measles was highest 11.34%, followed by DPT1-measles 10.58%. For BCG-DPT3 4.17%, DPT1- DPT3 2.96% & for HEP1-HEP3 6.25%. Fully immunized status was higher among male child as compare to female child which was statistically significant. Fully immunized children were more in Hindu religion compared to others which was statistically significant. No association found between educations of mother & immunization status of child. Socioeconomic class had no association with immunization status. Conclusion: Vaccination coverage shows gradual improvement in last decade (Fully immunized 65%) but at the same time reflects incomplete utilization (dropout rate is around 11%). Coverage was higher among male children as compared to female children which indicate the existence of gender difference in utilization of immunization services in our study areas. Utilization of immunization services was higher in Hindu community as compared to other community. Keywords: Immunization status, Vaccine, dropout rate INTRODUCTION Immunization is one of most cost effective public health intervention [1]. With the implementation of Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), significant achievements have been made in preventing and controlling the Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) namely Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Measles [2]. Immunization has to be sustained as a high priority to further reduce the incidence of all VPDs, control measles, eliminate tetanus and eradicate poliomyelitis [2]. India has one of the largest Universal Immunization Program (UIP) in the world in terms of quantities of vaccines used, number of beneficiaries (27 million infants and 30.2 million pregnant women) covered, geographical spread and manpower involved [2]. Present study is an attempt to evaluate immunization coverage of children under UIP in Jamnagar city with an objective to assess immunization status among children of 12-23 months age group, to find out left out / dropout rate and to check association of various socio demographic factors with immunization status. MATERIAL AND METHODS