EPI coverage in Adami-Tullu Woreda

Abstract

Summary: EPI coverage survey was conducted in Adami-Tullu Woreda during February 1995. A total of 210 children aged 12-23 months, and the same number of mothers who have infants aged 011 months were studied using the EPI cluster survey questionnaire. Thirty-seven percent of the children were fully immunized, while 35.7% were not immunized at all. The coverage was significantly higher in urban areas (55.8%) compared to rural areas (26.3%), OR=3.54, 95% CI (1.88,6.70). The dropout rate was 39.0%, and the missed-opportunity rate was estimated to be 37.3%. Lack of information was an improtant reason for failure of immunization, reported more by rural residents 54 (40.6%), OR= 8.09, 95% CI (3.08,22.51). The coverage was much lower in rural areas partly due to lack of information, and accordingly more emphasis should be given to the expansion of health education and out-reach immunization services. The dropout rate and missedopportunity rate were remarkably high indicating the huge potential of raising the EPI coverage by minimizing these two rates. Health workers have always to be aware of the magnitude of these rates and try to reduce them. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1997;11(2):109-113]