Assessment of the knowledge attitude and practices of mothers having children in the age group of 9 to 36 months regarding measles and its vaccination.

Background: Measles is a contagious viral disease. Despite the availability of safe and cost-effective vaccine which is given free of cost through EPI to all children under 12 months of age measles outbreak continue to occur in Pakistan raising questions on the awareness of the parents about this disease and its prevention. Objectives: To assess the knowledge attitude and practices of mothers having children in the age group of 9 months to 3 years about measles and its vaccination. Study design settings and duration: A community based cross sectional study for a period of 12 months from April 2014 to April 2015 carried out at PHRC Research Centre NHRC Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex Lahore. Subjects and Methods: House to house survey was conducted in 10 union councils of Lahore city. House to house survey was done. After taking informed written consent from eligible mothers for their voluntary participation in the study information regarding their knowledge attitude and practices was collected by the trained data collectors on a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 828 mothers of children aged between 9 to 36 months were enrolled and their data was collected. Due to incomplete information data of 73 mothers was not analysed leaving 755 mothers. Though 98.7% mothers knew that vaccination for measles is a preventive measure but the schedule of its vaccination was correctly known by 80.9% mothers and 77.5% knew that the child can suffer from measles if not vaccinated. The complications like death pneumonia diarrhea unconsciousness fits and weakness as a result of measles were known by less than 6% mothers. Although 95% children were vaccinated for measles as per verification of their immunization cards but despite vaccination almost 22.3% mothers reported that their children suffered from measles. Most of such cases (68.1%) were between 2-5 years. Conclusion: Inspite of 95% immunization coverage in Lahore repeated measles outbreaks is asking for a revisit to the vaccination schedule. Policy message: EPI vaccination schedule for measles needs to be reviewed while public awareness about the importance of childhood vaccination needs to be enhanced.