| Popis: |
Background: In Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, DPT dropout rate has been high above 10% (2009 18% and 2010 16% source immunization unit Federal Medical centre, Umuahia) which indicates poor utilization of the Health Facility. It was therefore necessary to use recall telephone system to see if it could be reduced. Objectives: To determine the use of recall on and causes of immunization dropout. Methodology: This was an interventional study, in which all the children immunized in April 2011 who were given BCG to start the immunization regimen, were followed up until they completed the immunization with measles at nine months. Prior to this, dropout rate was calculated for three preceding months using the immunization register. The reason for dropout was obtained from the caregivers. The dropout rate was also calculated for the month of May. Result: The dropout rate reduced when compared with the previous months. Total number of children immunized with BCG in April 2011 was 119 and those who received DPT1 107, DPT2 96, DPT3 92 and measles 73. The cumulative DPT dropout rate in April was 14% while it was 20.8% in March. The most important cause of dropout was distance. Conclusion/ Recommendation: The recall improved the dropout rate, though not less than 10%. This showed that if the caregivers are recalled some will come back for immunization. The cause of the dropout was mainly distance. FMC Umuahia being a tertiary health facility with experts, many women put to birth in that hospital and their babies will be given BCG at birth and DPTI when they come for 6 weeks post natal and then dropout. Recall system should be instituted in all the health facilities to improve utilization. A column should be provided in the child immunization register for writing the caregivers phone number. |
