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Trends in child immunization across geographical regions in India: focus on urban-rural and gender differentials
Authors: Singh PK
Source: PLOS ONE , 8(9):e73102; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073102
Topic(s): Child health
Gender
Immunization
Rural-urban differentials
Country: Asia
  India
Published: SEP 2013
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although child immunization is regarded as a highly cost-effective lifesaver, about fifty percent of the eligible children aged 12-23 months in India are without essential immunization coverage. Despite several programmatic initiatives, urban-rural and gender difference in child immunization pose an intimidating challenge to India's public health agenda. This study assesses the urban-rural and gender difference in child immunization coverage during 1992-2006 across six major geographical regions in India. DATA AND METHODS: Three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted during 1992-93, 1998-99 and 2005-06 were analyzed. Bivariate analyses, urban-rural and gender inequality ratios, and the multivariate-pooled logistic regression model were applied to examine the trends and patterns of inequalities over time. KEY FINDINGS: The analysis of change over one and half decades (1992-2006) shows considerable variations in child immunization coverage across six geographical regions in India. Despite a decline in urban-rural and gender differences over time, children residing in rural areas and girls remained disadvantaged. Moreover, northeast, west and south regions, which had the lowest gender inequality in 1992 observed an increase in gender difference over time. Similarly, urban-rural inequality increased in the west region during 1992-2006. CONCLUSION: This study suggests periodic evaluation of the health care system is vital to assess the between and within group difference beyond average improvement. It is essential to integrate strong i
Web: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0073102