Abstract:
The objectives of the present community based cross sectional study were to; estimate the
proportion of children immunized in the private sector; describe socio-demographic factors
associated with users of private sector immunization and compare these factors with
government sector users; estimate the usage of non EPI vaccines; and describe the factors
associated with the use of non EPI vaccine. This study was carried out. in 30 wards of the
Colombo Municipal Council area using WHO 30 cluster-methodology. The total number of
households studied was 553. Pre tested interviewer administered structured questionnaire
was used to collect data. Out of 5028 total immunizations reported in the present study,
2544 (33.59) was done in the private sector. Parents used the private sector exclusively for
immunization was 18.8 ( C.U5.54-22.05). . Efficiency of the service (36.5), availability of
non-EPI vaccines (20.8) and quality of care (18.8) were the most common reasons for
private sector utilization. Family income, social class, parental age, ethnicity, religion, and
educational level of the parents were significantly associated (pO.OOI in all occasions) with
private sector utilization as well as the use of non -EPI vaccines. Measles(12-23 months age
group) and JE (24-35 months age group) vaccine coverage's were significantly high among
private sector users (p=0.008 and 0.016 respectively). Knowledge on vaccine preventable
diseases and non –EPI vaccines were significantly high among mix users ( p<0.05.). The
satisfaction regarding the competency of vaccinator was only 50 among exclusively private
sector users while among government sector users it was 78.9.
