Vaccine Coverage Rates Among 12-23 Month Old Children Living In Four Selected Provinces Of Turkey: Results Of A Lot Quality Survey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the coverage rates for routine childhood vaccines at the provincial-level and to identify the districts with "unacceptably low" coverage rates. Material and Methods: A Lot Quality Technique -based cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected provinces, on a representative sample of residents aged 12-23 months in order to evaluate coverage for routine childhood vaccines [Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio & Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaPHibIPV3), oral polio vaccine (OPV), Hepatitis B3 and measles, mumps & rubella (MMR)], to identify the districts with coverage rates below 75%, and to investigate reasons for non-vaccination. Results: A total of 1640 children were included in the survey. Based on self-reports, the percentage of fully immunized children ranged between 88.6% and 98.1% in the four provinces. The percentage of timely vaccinations varied from 71.5 to 78.4, according to the type of the vaccine and overall coverage rates were below 75% in four lots. Potential associations between children's "fully and timely vaccination" status and some socio-demographic characteristics were examined with logistic regression modeling. The results have shown that the estimated risk of improper/inadequate vaccination is affected positively by having an employed mother, a primary school graduate or less educated mother and mother's age but is negatively affected by the child's age. Conclusion: This study identified vaccine coverage for ten routine vaccines that should be completed before the age of 24 months and the areas that need a special attention in vaccination services.