Abstract:
Nearly 70 percent of mothers had a good basic knowledge on vaccine preventable diseases
and nearly 90 percent had a good basic knowledge on age appropriate immunization.
However, only 50 percent of mothers had a good knowledge on contraindications and
approximately 40 percent had a good knowledge on AEFI. Knowledge on vaccine
preventable diseases (PO.O I), AEFI (PO.O 1), timeliness (PO.OO 1) and contraindication
on immunization (PO.OO 1) was significantly associated with the mothers' level of
education. In addition, Sinhalese ethnicity was associated with the higher level of
knowledge on age appropriate immunization (PO.OOl) and contraindication (PO.OOl). The
knowledge on AEFl was significantly associated with the younger age (except below 19
years) of the mother (PO.OO 1) too. Immunization coverage for EPI vaccines in the study
group was 100 percent during the infancy and has gradually decreased with the increasing
age of the child. The Non-EPI vaccine utilization was low (HiB-1091 percent , MMR-5.83)
and was associated with the socio economic status of the family. Approximately 1 0 percent
of children were delayed for their respective vaccine and it also was more evident after the
infancy Approximately 9 percent of immunizations were associated with at least one of the
AEFl. Majority of children (2/3) who experienced adverse effects had taken treatments from
the private practitioners or had practiced home remedies only. The commonest antigen
which led to AEFI was DPT (95.56 percent in 2005 and 86.21 percent in 2006) in the
Kalutara MOH area. The rate of AEFI for OPT was 549 per 1000 immunizations in 2005
and 12.68 per 1000 immunizations in 2006. The rate of AEFI was significantly higher
(PO.OO 1) in 2006 when compared with 2005. The common types of reactions reported
were high fever, allergic reaction and severe local reactions. Health education programmes
on immunization giving special consideration to side effects and AEFI targeting the mothers
with lower educational attainment would help to sustain the existing high immunization
coverage. Mechanisms for reporting of AEFI by Private Practitioners and more detailed
research on underreporting of AEFI are further recommendations
