Syed Aoun Muhammad Jafri, Iram Saddiqa Aamir, Marium Abid, Maliha Hanif.
Childhood immunization; awarenessamong pregnant women in Pakistan.
Professional Med J Jan ;23(01):71-5.

Childhood immunization remains one of the most important ways of preventing outbreaks of deadly diseases. Even with full-fledged active Expanded programme of immunization (EPI) initiated in Pakistan, the percentage of children getting vaccinated remain far below our required levels. Infant mortality in Pakistan is highest among SAARC countries, which at present stands at 70 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to a report compiled by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC). Objective: This study was carried out to assess mother’s education, knowledge and level of awareness of childhood immunization among the pregnant women. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Setting: Jinnah Medical and Dental College Karachi in department of community Health sciences (CHS). Study period: April 2012 to June 2012. Methods: A total number of Four hundred pregnant (400) women were interviewed in both OPDs and wards of Lady Dufferin Hospital and JMCH Karachi. The questionnaire contained a total of nineteen questions. All of them were self-asked in local language. Results: A significant number of child bearing women (81.5%) had good knowledge and aptitude about childhood immunization and are likely to get their children vaccinated. Conclusion: The higher the people are aware regarding childhood immunization, the more they are likely to get their children vaccinated. The level of awareness invariably correlated with the level of education of pregnant women. This tells us the literacy rate along with efficient immunization campaigns can help us fight against the war of high infant mortality rate against curable diseases.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com