Vaccination coverage and some risk factors for non-vaccination in an urbanarea of Northeastern Brazil, 1994

Introduction The assessment of vaccination coverage and risk factors for no n-vaccination is important to evaluate vaccination programs and to identify children not properly vaccinated Methods A cross-sectional household survey was carried out in the municipal ity of S. Luis, Maranhao, Brazil bg means of a standardized questionnaire. Multistage cluster sampling was used to identify children of 12-59 months o f age residing in the city in 1994. The mother or other person responsible for the children was interviewed Fifty census clusters were visited and 40 households were sampled in each. On average 15 children were found in each cluster Design effect was calculated for each estimate. Health service util ization was analyzed according to socioeconomic and demographic indicators, and perceived morbidity using proportional hazard modeling (Cox's regressi on). Results Vaccination coverage levels were 72.4% for BCG, 59.9% for three dos es of polio vaccine, 57% for three doses of DTP vaccine and 54.7% for measl es vaccine. Vaccination levels have remained statistically unchanged over t he last three years. Lower maternal schooling continues to be associated wi th increased risk of nonvaccination in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion Vaccination levels were low. Health education activities are one of the suggested strategies to increase vaccination coverage.