Integrating community and basic health unit services to strengthen routine immunization in Panjgur District Balochistan: A quasi experimental study

Abstract

Immunization remains always a big challenge for Pakistan and the coverage has been reported significant low that results high morbidity, mortality reported due to vaccine preventable diseases. Multiple factors including financial constraints, psychosocial issue and cultural barrier are the predominant factors affects poor vaccination. Due to the above-mentioned reason the Pakistan is one of the countries, where the basic health services utilization faces many troubles and unutilized is familiar. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with control and intervention design and was conducted in primary Health care governmental Basic Health unit’s catchment population of Panjgur by interviewing household head/ father who were selected randomly after the sample size calculation. Self-administered valid and reliable questionnaire were adapted after taking the written consent. Ethical consideration was taken from ethical committee of Bridge Consultant foundation of Pakistan. Results: Total 234 household head including fathers were interviewed during this baseline survey. Routine immunization Services utilization with in both Basic Health unit were not found statistically significant (p=0.33). However, the socio demographic information like income, level of education , Household members , Number of children , Under-five children and Sex of Children when compared with the practices were found statistically significant (p<0.05). Study observed partial knowledge and practice towards routine immunization as will low immunization status in under five children was found statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Practices among routine immunization were not found up to the standards in these populations in the Catchment areas of Basic Health Units of Pakistan.