Hepatitis B Immunization Coverage Evaluation Amongst Slum Children

To determine Hepatitis B immunization coverage among children aged 12–23 months residing in slums

Using cluster sampling technique based on probability proportional to size, 210 [30x7] resident children were contacted. The data was collected during Oct’ 2005 in the slums with approx. population of 429,130 in one randomly selected municipal zone of Delhi. Primary health facility (n=32) based performance reports for hepatitis b immunization was also assessed for data triangulation.

Out of 210 eligible children, it was noticed that 100 (47.62%) had received all three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine whereas 19 (9.04%) and 17 (8.09%) received two & one dose respectively. The odd's of a child receiving all three-doses was found to be significant for birth order-one [OR 2.13, 95% CI: 0.93 to 4.88], birth in health institution [OR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.06 to 4.28] and awareness of mother for Hepatitis B vaccine [OR 3.40, 95% CI: 1.64 to 7.03]. Religion and gender of child had no statistically significant bearing on receiving recommended hepatitis B doses. Overall, health facilities reported 44.6% hepatitis-B III dose. Conclusion: Study reflects low Hepatitis b-III dose immunization coverage among children residing in slums.