The Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Immunization and Its Schedule among the Mothers of under Five Children

The Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Immunization and Its Schedule among the Mothers of under Five Children - Background: Immunization is one of the most effective, safest and efficient Public Health Intervention for the prevention from several diseases among under five children1. Objectives of the study: (1) To assess the knowledge regarding immunization and its schedule among the mothers of under five children. (2) To determine the attitude regarding immunization and its schedule among the mothers of under five children. (3) To find out a correlation between the knowledge and attitude scores regarding immunization and its schedule among the mothers of under five children. (4) To find out an association between the knowledge scores of mothers of under five children and their selected demographic variables. (5) To find out an association between attitude scores of mothers of under five children and their selected demographic variables. Material and Methods: This study was based on descriptive research approach is used. The sample consisted 60 mothers of under five children at the paediatric outpatient department of Taluka Hospital, Kundagol. The Non-probability; purposive sampling technique, a structured knowledge questionnaire and the five point LIKERT attitude scale was used to collect the data. Results: The findings show that mothers of under five children were varied in baseline variables. They had varying degree of knowledge and attitude regarding immunization and its schedule. On assessment of knowledge, 40 (67%) had average knowledge, 13 (22%) had good knowledge and 07 (11%) had poor knowledge regarding immunization and its schedule. On assessment of attitude, 35 (58%) had neutral attitude, 17 (28%) had positive attitude and 08 (14%) had negative attitude towards immunization and its schedule. The findings denotes that there was a positive correlation (r= 0.23) between knowledge and attitude. Conclusion: The study concluded that, knowledge and attitude of mothers of under five children regarding immunization and its schedule was just satisfactory, consequently educational programmes for promoting immunization and parental motivation, accessibility and follow-up should be instituted. Keywords: Immunization, Immunization Schedule, Knowledge, Attitude, Mothers, Under Five Children, Paediatric OPD.