Immunization Coverages among Myanmar Pregnant Women and Children in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, 2005- ความครอบคลุมของงานสร้างเสริมภูมิคุ้มกันโรคในหญิงตั้งครรภ์และเด็กชาวพม่า อำเภอแม่สอด จังหวัดตาก ปี 2548

Abstract

This report presents the immunization coverages among Myanmar pregnant women and children in Mae Sot District, Tak Province. An interview survey using the 30-cluster sampling technique was conducted in May 2005 among Myanmar mothers of children 0.1 and 2-3 years old. Of the 210 Myanmar mothers of children 0-1 year old, only 37.1 percent knew that pregnant women should receive tetanus toxoid immunization. About 91.0 percent of them had antenatal care during their previous pregnancies and 71.0 percent were adequately immunized with tetanus toxoid. Factors associated with inadequate immunizations included low educational levels, lack of knowledge about tetanus toxoid, and no antenatal care. Of the 210 Myanmar mothers of children 2-3 years old, about 27.6-30.5 percent knew of each of immunizations for children after birth through 2 years of age. The immunization coverages in these children were 91.9 percent for BCG, 67.1 percent for three doses of DPT and OPV, 34.8 percent for four doses of DPT and OPV, and 64.3 percent for measles vaccine. About 34.8 percent of them were fully immunized. Factors of the mothers or caregivers associated with inadequate immunizations in their children included younger age, low educational levels, short duration of stay in Thailand, and lack of knowledge about immunizations for children. Health education about immunizations and their benefits by appropriate information materials should extensively be provided to the migrant population. The health education program should be promoted along with other maternal and child health services. An outreach service, with the assistance of migrant community health volunteers, may increase the immunization coverage among migrant women and children and therefore reduce burdens of vaccine-preventable diseases at the border areas.