Abstract

Aim: The incidence of waccine preventable diseases have been significantly decreased in many countries by effective immunization programs in children. However, they continue to be the causes of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccination status of children and the related risk factors. Methods: A thousand children, aged 24 to 72 months seen at Izmir Tepecik Teaching Hospita!, Pediatric Outpatient Clinics between November 1st, 2002 and March 31st, 2003 were included in the study. Data were obtained from the childrens official vaccination records and face to face interview with the parents recorded on the questionnaire forms consisting of 19 items. Children vaccinated with 1 BCG, 4 DTP and oral polio, 3 Hepatitis B, 1 measles or vaccination containing measles antigenes were considered as "completely vaccinated"; those lacking any one of these vaccines were considered "incompletely vaccinated". The study group were analyzed in "complete vaccination" and "incomplete vaccination"' groups in terms of related risk factors. Chi square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used in statistical analysis; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean age of the study group was 43.2 ±13.6 (median 41) months. 99.5% of the children were vaccinated in primary health care centers. The vaccination cover age for BCG, DTP-4, Polio-4, Hepatitis B-3 and for Measles vuere 99.9%, 91.8%, 97.7%, 97.7% and 98.5% respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the complete and incomplete vaccination groups in terms of parental education level, income, number of children, immigration status and living area. The leading cause for incomplete vaccination was the family being ignorant about the necessity of vaccination. Conclusion: We showed that low education and socioeconomic level of parents, short duration for living in the same address, immigration history, living in a rural area, having more than two children are risk factors for incomplete immunization. Hospital referrals could be accepted as opportunities for completing vaccination