Original article
English
R. Singh 1, I.Beit El Mal 2, N.M. Shembesh 2, F. El Feituri 2, A. El-Toweir 1
1-Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Arab Medical University, Benghazi, G.S.P.L.A.J. 2-Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Arab Medical University, Benghazi, G.S.P.L.A.J.
Garyounis Medical Journal Vol.13, No.1-2. January/July 1990:51-54
Abstract
The year 1990 is WHO’s target year for accomplishing the goal of Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles. For assessing the situation at El-Abiar in Benghazi municipality, an interview survey of 500 households was carried out during the 3rd week of September 1989. The study revealed that among 93.9% households more than 75% of the under-five children had been timely immunized. 113 families reported immediate reactions such as fever, with or without local pain at the injection site, excessive crying or others. The main reasons for incomplete immunization were child sickness and parental ignorance of the importance of immunization. In 54 families (10.8%) among those surveyed, a total of 63 cases of EPI target diseases were recorded during the last year of which most of them were measles cases. The study indicated the urgent need of educating parents about the importance of timely completing the immunization schedule and of the health staff for the elimination of “missed” opportunities to achieve the EPI target sooner.
Keywords: Coverage and Effectiveness of Expanded Programme of Immunization at El-Abiar, Benghazi
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