Mothers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Vaccination: A Sociological Study in District Dera Ghazi Khan

Abstract

Vaccination is aspect of public health that is considered the most cost-effective in reducing the prevalence of life-threatening disease. Therefore, it is important to have a sufficient amount of knowledge, a positive attitude, and correct practice regarding vaccinations. So present study has been designed to actually find out the mothers’ Knowledge, attitude, and practice about the expanded program on Immunization (EPI) Vaccination in district D.G Khan. The main objectives of the study are; (i) to identify the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondent; (ii) to assess the knowledge of mothers regarding childhood vaccination; (iii) to assess the perception of respondents about the availability and difficulty of EPI vaccination in the local study area; (iv) to suggest some recommendation’ to improve the accessibility of general care and encourage peoples for immunization activities and to enhance the parental level of knowledge for a positive attitude, and correct practice regarding vaccinations. In this regard, a survey was conducted, and data was collected through a multistage sampling technique from 200 mothers in tehsil Taunsa. The results showed that the majority 70.0% of the mothers possessed education up to matric; (SSC);   76.0% of respondents were of age group 20-30 years; 55.0% had 1 to 3 children; 58.0% of respondents were housewives; 93.5% mothers had knowledge about EPI vaccination; 89.0% said that difficulty of EPI vaccination is caused by lack of public awareness; 91.5% mentioned that availability of EPI vaccinations is important for parents;92.5% mentioned that availability of EPI vaccinations necessary for children;92.0% said that availability of vaccinations was caused to protect the children healthy life; 90.5% accessibility of general care encourage people for immunization. Results also showed a significant relationship between the availability of vaccination vs life protection of children; the Presence of doctors and paramedical staff vs adoption of vaccination and accessibility of general care vs immunization activities among people. Research suggested that the government should start an awareness program for the mothers regarding complete knowledge of EPI as well as ensure the availability of vaccination in hospitals i.e. DHQs, THQs, RHCs & BHUs for better child-mother health.