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Awareness and Fears Regarding Immunization Among Guardians of Children Visiting HBS General Hospital Islamabad

Authors

Ameena Saba
Associate Professor
Mahwish Rabia
Professor and HOD
Tooba Riaz
Assistant Professor
Samia Mehmood
Assistant Professor
Rabia Iqbal
Senior Registrar, Department of Pediatrics, HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad

Abstract

Objective: To assess awareness and fears among the guardians regarding immunization and to determine the causes responsible for none/partial immunization of children.
Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional.
Place and Duration of Study: HBS General Hospital Islamabad, 06 months (July to December 2024).
Methodology: Total 200 guardians of none or partially immunized children according to expanded Programme of immunization (EPI) were interviewed from indoor and outpatient department. They were asked about demographic details, reasons for none or partial immunization, and their attitude and misconceptions regarding immunization were assessed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 to calculate descriptive statistics.
Results: Maximum children (87%) were partially immunized and only 13% were unimmunized. Polio coverage was maximum among all the vaccines. However, the reported coverage of pentavalent vaccine was 2% and it was minimum among all the vaccines. Difficult access, careless attitude, unawareness, refusal by males, adverse effects; child sickness and misconceptions regarding vaccine source and fear of infertility were identified as accountable reasons for poor vaccine coverage. Almost half of the guardians (54.5%) had no idea about vaccine preventable diseases. Nearby EPI center was available to only 49.5% of study population.
Conclusion: This study revealed that difficult access, carelessness and unawareness are leading causes of lack of immunization. People have misconceptions regarding source, adverse effects and indication. Awareness raising strategies are needed in community.
Keywords: Awareness, Fears, Guardians, Immunization, Misconceptions, Practices, Vaccination.

How to cite this article

Saba A, Rabia M, Riaz T, Mehmood S, Iqbal R. Awareness and Fears regarding Immunization among Guardians of Children Visiting HBS General Hospital Islamabad. HMDJ. 2025 December; 05(02): 74-78.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69884/hmdj.5.2.1501

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