Optional Vaccines for Better Immunization : Awareness among Mothers

Introduction

W H O estimates that in 2007 the under five mortality was 78.8 deaths /1000 live births. In that, most of the deaths are attributed to vaccine preventable diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid; pneumonia, polio, diarrheal diseases, and tetanus etc. Many of the mothers are unaware about the number of doses of each vaccine and also about the time limit for the particular vaccine that should be administered to the child.

Immunization describes the whole process of delivery of a vaccine and the immunity it generates in an individual and population. A vaccine is a special form of a disease-causing agent (e.g., virus or bacteria) that has been developed to protect against that disease. Immunization forms one of the most important and cost effective strategies for the prevention of childhood sicknesses and disabilities and is thus a basic need for all children. The last 20 years have seen an explosion in the number of new vaccines. Many other vaccines are available against many other diseases like typhoid fever, chicken pox, pneumonia, meningitis etc.

National Immunization services now offers protection against an additional diseases in some specific areas. Hepatitis B Vaccine protects against serious disease of the liver. Homophiles influenza type b or Human Influenza B Vaccines (HIB) is another vaccine which protects against pneumonia, meningitis. Regarding Meningitis 2005 about 8357 cases were reported in India with 485 death. WHO (2007) each year in the world about 145 million children are born around 2.4 million deaths among children under five are still due to vaccine preventable diseases and infections in early life. Mortality rate may be greater in developing countries, because of low resistance of these children against infection. In the developing world some 23% of deaths among children under five years occur in the first month. However about 3 million babies in the developing countries die during early childhood. In recent years however relatively low immunization levels in this age group have occasional scattered out break of certain disease. For this reason in spite of the national effort some immunizations are administered optionally to improve the immunization levels of all children. This vaccination helps to making the babies' immune system stronger.

Immunization is the most effective tool which greatly prevent and reduce incidence and severity of common seven diseases include of whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, measles, which a together responsible as leading cause of all death in children under the age five. During the survey the researcher had the opportunity to interact with the parents. It was found that the parents of the under five children were unaware of giving vaccines and its importance in the health of their child. In the light of the above facts, it is an essential fact that mothers of under five should bring up their knowledge about the optional vaccines in order to bring up a new generation with less risk. Hence the investigator was interested to assess the knowledge of mothers regarding optional vaccines.

Materials and Methods:

Results

In 30 samples 11(36.6%) mothers belongs to age group of 31 and above, 9(30%) mothers belongs to age group of 2730, 5(16.66%) mothers belongs to age group of 19-22 and 23-26. (Type of family) 15(50%) belongs to nuclear family, 15(50%) mothers belongs to joint family. (Education) 12(40%) have primary education, 9(30%) have secondary education and 9(30%) have higher secondary. 13(43.3%) are very near to the immunization center, 13(43.3%) reach in half an hour, 4(13.3%) reach in one hour. (occupational status) 15(50%) mothers are house wife, 11(36.6%) mothers are coolie, 3(10%) mothers are self-employed, 1(3.3%) mothers is private employee. (source of information) 15(50%) mothers are health personals, 8(26.6%) have no information, 3(10%) mothers got information from electronic media, 2(6.6%) mothers interacted with friends/neighbors, 2(6.6%) mothers got information from relatives/family members. religion 17(56.6%) of the mother are Hindu, 11(36.6%) of the mother are Muslims, 2(6.6%) of the mothers are Christians. 10(33.3%) have family income 2001-4000 per month, 9(30%) have income less than or equal to 2000, 8(26.6%) have 4001-6000, 3(10%) have 6000 and above.

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Fig. 1

Bar diagram showing the pre-test and post-test knowledge Score of Mothers

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The study reveals that there is significant association between pre-test knowledge score and demographic variable like child's Type of family (Chi-square = 7.846, df −1, p = 0.005), but there was no significant association between the pre-test knowledge and any other demographic variables like income of family, source of information and distance between home and immunization center..

Effectiveness of structured teaching programme in terms of gain knowledge

In the study the mean post-test knowledge score (16.73) was higher than pre-test knowledge scores (6.46). The mean difference between pre-test and post-test score (10.27) of knowledge is significant at 0.001 level, as ‘t’ = 15.87 (P <0.001).

Hence the research hypothesis H1 was accepted. The difference of means observed is a true difference. Hence it can be concluded that Structured Teaching Programme has an influence in improving the knowledge of mothers on Optional vaccines.

Discussion

In the present study knowledge of mother was assessed regarding optional vaccines, during the pre-test knowledge scores of mothers on optional vaccines 25(83.3) percent) mothers had Inadequate knowledge and 4(13.3 percent) had moderately adequate knowledge and 1(3.3%) had Adequate knowledge. During the post-test knowledge scores of mothers on optional vaccines 14(46.6 percent) mothers had adequate knowledge and 16(53.3 percent) had moderately adequate knowledge. For the success of any programme, it is important to create public awareness and have wholehearted participation of the people and healthcare personal. In spite of many educational programs targeting the vulnerable group of population, mother and child the health scenario of our country is far below from satisfactory. 9.7 million children are dying worldwide before five years of age which include 21% from India. Of this 19% isdue to pneumonia, 17% is due to diarrhea, malaria 8%.and measles 4%. In India 9.4 million children are not immunized.

Conclusion

This study findings revealed that structured teaching programme was successful in improving the knowledge of mothers so that they can practice optional vaccinations of their children in time which will be helpful in reducing the incidence of childhood mortality and morbidity rate.

Implications

The nursing curriculum should consist of knowledge related to vaccine preventable diseases, immunization schedule and information regarding optional vaccines using different methods of teaching. Nursing students should be taught to consider health education as a way of life and practice it in their day to day activities. The nurse administrator should create awareness among mothers in order to prevent diseases and to improve their knowledge on delayed and optional vaccines by posters, charts etc. This study helps the nurse researcher to develop insight into the new and current teaching modules and materials for educating the mothers on optional vaccines. Studies can be done including knowledge, attitude and practice on immunization among mothers.