What is causing high polio vaccine dropout among Pakistani children?. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Imran, W.; Abbas, F.; Javed, S.A.
• Is Part Of: Public health. Volume 164(2018)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Polio vaccination -- Polio dropout -- Childhood immunization -- Demographic and health surveys -- Pakistan -- Sociodemographics; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3506

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Although the antipolio drive is undertaken across Pakistan, there are still children who have not received any oral polio vaccine or are unable to complete recommended doses of polio vaccine. This study aims at empirically analyzing the associated factors with the no oral polio vaccination (OPV) and OPV dropout groups of children in Pakistan. Study design: This is a cross-sectional study. Methods: Data were obtained from the three waves of Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey of children aged between 12 and 23 months (1990–1991: n = 1214; 2006–2007: n = 1522; 2012–2013: n = 2074). Children who received no OPV and those who drop out of polio vaccination (OPV1–OPV3) were considered as outcome variables. The bivariate relationship of outcome variable with each socio-economic, demographic, and spatial variable is estimated with a P -value of <0.01. For both no OPV and OPV dropout children, we used logistic regression analysis separately. Results: The percentage of children aged 12–23 months who dropped out of OPV1–OPV3 vaccination was about 76% in the year 1990–1991; 21% in 2006–2007, and 17.5% in 2012–2013 at the national level. Among all indicators, provinces, rural versus urban residence, the mother's age at marriage, the child's birth place (home versus hospital), parental education, and household wealth status are significant predictors of no OPV and/or OPV dropout in Pakistan. Among provinces, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Sindh are the lagging provinces. Conclusion: Improving the socio-economic status of women helps decrease the chance of polio dropout and thus improves service delivery and program implementation. Highlights: In almost three decades, there is about 58 percentage point reduction in polio dropout across Pakistan. Rural Pakistani child is highly likely to be dropout of polio vaccination relative to his/her urban counterparts. Significant likelihood of increase in never-vaccinated children in Baluchistan, KPK, and Sindh during 2012–13 is alarming. Children of female-headed household are less likely to be dropouts.