Inequalities in Childhood Immunisation in South Asia

Madhu Sudhan Atteraya (), In Han Song, Nasser B. Ebrahim, Shreejana Gnawali, Eungi Kim and Thakur Dhakal ()
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Madhu Sudhan Atteraya: Department of Social Welfare, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
In Han Song: Department of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
Nasser B. Ebrahim: Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
Shreejana Gnawali: International Affairs Team, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
Eungi Kim: Department of Library and Information Science, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
Thakur Dhakal: Department of Life Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Identifying the inequalities associated with immunisation coverage among children is crucial. We investigated the factors associated with complete immunisation among 12- to 23-month-old children in five South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, using nationally representative data sets from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Descriptive statistics, bivariate association, and logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the prevalence and the factors in each country that affect the likelihood of full childhood immunisation coverage. The complete childhood immunisation coverage varied significantly within each country in South Asia. Afghanistan had the lowest immunisation rates (42.6%), whereas Bangladesh ranked the highest in complete childhood immunisation rates, at 88.2%. Similarly, 77.1% of Indian children, 79.2% of Nepali children, and 62.2% of Pakistani children were completely immunised. Household wealth status strongly correlated with full childhood immunisation in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan at the bivariate level. The results from the logistic regression showed that a higher maternal educational level had a statistically significant association with complete childhood immunisation in all countries compared to mothers who did not attend any school. In conclusion, the study revealed the inequalities of complete childhood immunisation within South Asia. Governments must be proactive in their endeavours to address universal and equitable vaccine coverage in collaboration with national and international stakeholders and in line with the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: inequalities; childhood immunization; South Asia; child health; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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