| 'When will they ever learn?':The Indian experience of Universal Immunization Program. |
| Authors: |
Patra, Nilanjan |
| Source: |
International Journal of Child Health and Human Development, Vol 3(1), Jan-Mar, 2010. pp. 93-114. |
| Topic(s): |
Child health
Immunization
|
| Country: |
Asia
India
|
| Published: |
OCT 2010 |
| Abstract: |
The study attempts to analyze the effects of some selected demographic and socioeconomic predictor variables on the likelihood of immunization of a child for six vaccine-preventable diseases covered under the Universal Immunization Program (UIP). It focuses on immunization coverage across India with special emphasis on three groups of states, viz., Empowered Action Group, North-Eastern and Other states. The study applies a logistic regression model to the three rounds of National Family Health Survey unit-level data. The results are robust across different models. The likelihood of immunization increases with urban residence, mother's education level, mother's age, mother's exposure to mass media, mother's awareness about immunization, antenatal care during pregnancy, SLI or wealth index, household electrification, mother's empowerment index, and caste/tribe hierarchy. It is also higher for boys than girls but it decreases for higher birth-order children irrespective of the sex of the child. Interestingly, sex of household headship has no effect. Religion and zone of states also have some effects. Emphasis on these demand enhancing factors is necessary to make the immunization program universal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved) |
|