Immunization coverage in Kerala state, India and the role of the Integrated Child Development Services Program
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Date
1990
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Health Policy and Planning
Abstract
The paper discusses the main results of a survey conducted in Kerala state in India to assess immunization coverage in children of 1-2 years of age as well as in mothers of young infants. The survey, which incorporated data from rural and urban areas, also aimed to compare the coverage in areas served by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, a package of health services for children, with areas where the scheme is not yet implemented. Various aspects other than immunization status, such as reasons for failure of immunization outreach, were also investigated. The results indicate that immunization of children is not up to expected standards in the state while antenatal services seem to have achieved universal coverage. Further, the ICDS is unable to produce better results in the area than the non-ICDS blocks, Further studies designed specifically to probe these issues are now needed.ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:This article describes a study of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 1 area of India, Kerala. The ICDS are additions to the normal health schemes and are meant to cover areas of socio-economic underdevelopment and environmental hazards and to reach areas not properly covered by normal services. There have been wide differences in the effectiveness of the ICDS in different areas of India. In this study in Kerala State immunization coverage was used as a test of effectiveness: no difference was found in coverage between ICDS and non-ICDS areas, although antenatal services were very satisfactory. The authors feel that 'innovative approaches' are needed to make the programmes more 'user-sensitive' in Kerala State.
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Public Health
Citation
Health Policy and Planning. 5;3;267-273