2024, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A

Background: Vaccine- preventable diseases constitute a major cause of morbidity, mortality and disability in children below 5 years of age in many developing countries, including Iraq.

Objectives: In order to ascertain the prevalence of missed opportunities for regular immunization (MOI) and the factors associated with it among children under the age of two years attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Iraq/ Baghdad/ Al-Karkh.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2022 to July, 2023. It was conducted on 500 parents or relatives attending PHCCs in Baghdad/ Al-Karkh sector whose children were within the aged below two years during the study period. These health facilities were selected randomly using cluster sampling technique. The data was gathered utilizing the conventional missed opportunity method developed by the World Health Organization. Vaccines studied in this study were BCG, Hepatitis B birth dose, OPV, PCV13, Rota, Pentavalent (Hep. B, Hib, DPT), IPV, Measles and MMR vaccines. The assessment of the children's immunization status was conducted using a standardized questionnaire that relied on information obtained from vaccination cards, and parental recall of vaccination history as well as interview with health care providers. The proportion of MOI among children with verified vaccination histories were assessed and statistically analyzed by chi square test using SPSS version 22. The level of significant is considered at P-value< 0.05.

Results: A total of 68.4% of children below the age of 2 who were eligible for vaccination received the complete set of recommended vaccines, while 31.6% received an incomplete set of vaccines.The second dose of the MMR vaccine exhibited the highest incidence of mode of infection (MOI) among single vaccines, with a rate of 46.9%. The variables that exhibited a significant association with the mode of infant feeding (MOI) were the child's age, birth order, and birth place, as well as the antenatal care received. Additionally, the caregivers' marital status, education level, occupation, monthly income, and purpose of visit were also found to be significantly connected with MOI.

Conclusion: Nearly, one out of three children below two years old had missed for immunization. The various socio-demographic variables of the child and child’s caregivers are important predictors for MOI among children. Immunization status of the children should be evaluated for each healthcare visit to avoid missed opportunities.