Abstract

Background: Immunization schedule for polio vaccination is zero dose at birth and next does at 6, 10 and 14 weeks are given. Vaccination with zero polio dose is neglected in India where zero dose can be counted up to 15 days from birth;still its coverage is questionable. Purpose: To assess the zero dose of polio vaccination status of children and factors influencing it. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the ten Rural Block Community Health Centers CHC’s of Pali District in Rajasthan, India among children (n = 23715) born in hospitals and got discharged from hospitals in study period of April 2012 to March 2013. Results: A significant number of children were not getting ‘Zero ‘dose of Oral Polio Vaccine as it is found that 12487 were vaccinated with zero polio dose(53%) and 11228 (47%) were not vaccinated with zero polio dose. The vaccination status was significantly influenced by religion as in non-vaccinated children Hindu were more (N=8505) 76%.Most common reasons in non-vaccination was religious belief that” no food other than mothers milk should be given before ‘Janam –Ghutti’ which is to be given at home of child born by elder in family” (N=7597)68%. Other reasons were a) 9%-No one informed about zero dose of polio vaccine /Immunization b) 8%- Discharge from hospital within 6 hours of delivery c) 4%-Want to take dose from local ANM/ Private doctor d) 4%-Refusal for vaccination e) 1%-Non availability of Vaccine f) 3%Non- availability of staff/ANM responsible for vaccination) 3%-Not willing to tell reasonConclusion: This study therefor confirms that religion and zero polio dose administration are appears to be significantly importance .In India zero polio dose vaccination is not given so much importance and it is usually given after 3rd day after birth as children were not vaccinated in hospital before discharge .There is significant association of religion and beliefs of parents regarding vaccination of children with oral polio vaccination.