Socioeconomic impact on child immunisation in the districts of West Bengal, India.

INTRODUCTION Knowledge of inter-district variations in immunisation coverage and the reasons for their existence is of utmost importance in a region in which variations in the socioeconomic factors are known to have a marked influence on immunisation coverage. METHODS This study was based on a sample of 1,279 children aged 12-35 months. Data was obtained from the District Level Household Survey under the Reproductive and Child Health project (DLHS-RCH-2) that was conducted from 2002 to 2004. Descriptive studies and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the variations in immunisation coverage. RESULTS Approximately 54 percent of children in West Bengal were covered for immunisation. The results for receiving full immunisation varied greatly between the various districts, ranging from 23.3 percent in Murshidabad to 72.2 percent in Hugli. Low rates of coverage were found among the vulnerable groups of poor minorities, especially in rural areas. No evidence of gender differences was found. The educational level of the parents was found to have a significant influence on child immunisation coverage. CONCLUSION In order to improve upon the rates of child immunisation coverage in West Bengal, efforts should be concentrated on poor children from minority groups and those living in rural areas.