Abstract
A nationwide survey was carried-out aiming at determination of immunization coverage level against the six killer diseases of childhood (tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and measles). Variations between geographical zones, urban-rural settings, age, education and mother's employment, father's education, and child's birth order were studied. The standard WHO cluster technique was used. The sample (1102 children) was restricted to Saudi children 1-2 years old. Interviewers were exposed to training and methods of calibration, and involved in a pilot survey.
Nationally, the survey showed very high coverage levels, BCG was the highest (99 per cent), measles was the lowest (90 per cent), whereas the three doses of DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) and TOPV (trivalent oral polio vaccine) were in between (98,96 and 94 per cent, respectively). There was no marked differences between urban-rural settings. The western zone showed the lowest coverage by all vaccines. The national coverage by the six vaccines reached 86 per cent correctly immunized (according to WHO standards), 14 per cent partially immunized and 1 per cent non-immunized. Immunization coverage was higher for children to younger mothers. The non-immunized group belonged exclusively to illiterate mothers (1 per cent). Children to mothers with basic education showed the highest coverage (88 per cent). Birth order had negative effect on coverage. Nationally, 88 per cent of children had immunization certificate while 12 per cent had not. The eastern and central zones had the highest percentages of children with certificates (92 and 91 per cent, respectively). The lowest such percentages were observed in the Southern (85 per cent) and Western (86 per cent) zones. The educational level of parents showed positive impact on immunization certificate availability.