Individual and Contextual Determinants of Complete Infant Vaccination: A Comparative Study of Bangladesh and Pakistan Using the DHS, 2017-18
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Sangeeta Parashar
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:15 PM
Description
Complete and timely vaccination in children is crucial for creating herd immunity and preventing death, disease, and disability. Despite global efforts towards achieving this health goal, disparities exist within and across countries. In South Asia, Bangladesh (East Pakistan till 1971) has a vaccination rate of 86% for children aged 12-23 months, while it is only 66% in Pakistan. Independent countries separated physically by India, they were administered under the same government from 1948-1972. Both share a complex history and attributes but varying approaches to development. Using data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey 2017-18 and the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18, this study examines the contextual, individual socio-economic, and demographic determinants influencing complete child vaccination rates. Descriptive and binary logistic regressions will test the effects of variables, including maternal education, intrahousehold decision-making capabilities, exposure to mass media, household socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, community development, and region. We hypothesize that these variables will have a stronger effect on complete child immunization in Pakistan compared to Bangladesh. While governments of both countries have adopted the Expanded Program for Immunization, Bangladesh has invested enormous resources and effort in it, leading to higher rates of child immunization irrespective of socioeconomic status. Our findings will have implications for developing targeted interventions to address disparities in healthcare access. This research not only contributes to the literature on public health regarding vaccination but also offers insights for policy-makers focused on enhancing health outcomes in South Asia and globally.
Individual and Contextual Determinants of Complete Infant Vaccination: A Comparative Study of Bangladesh and Pakistan Using the DHS, 2017-18
Complete and timely vaccination in children is crucial for creating herd immunity and preventing death, disease, and disability. Despite global efforts towards achieving this health goal, disparities exist within and across countries. In South Asia, Bangladesh (East Pakistan till 1971) has a vaccination rate of 86% for children aged 12-23 months, while it is only 66% in Pakistan. Independent countries separated physically by India, they were administered under the same government from 1948-1972. Both share a complex history and attributes but varying approaches to development. Using data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey 2017-18 and the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18, this study examines the contextual, individual socio-economic, and demographic determinants influencing complete child vaccination rates. Descriptive and binary logistic regressions will test the effects of variables, including maternal education, intrahousehold decision-making capabilities, exposure to mass media, household socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, community development, and region. We hypothesize that these variables will have a stronger effect on complete child immunization in Pakistan compared to Bangladesh. While governments of both countries have adopted the Expanded Program for Immunization, Bangladesh has invested enormous resources and effort in it, leading to higher rates of child immunization irrespective of socioeconomic status. Our findings will have implications for developing targeted interventions to address disparities in healthcare access. This research not only contributes to the literature on public health regarding vaccination but also offers insights for policy-makers focused on enhancing health outcomes in South Asia and globally.