Evaluation of pulse polio and routine immunisation coverage: Alwar District, Rajasthan.

During the last decade, India achieved 88% reduction in reported poliomyelitis incidence. However, absolute number of reported cases still remains high. As an added effort to eradicate the disease, the country observed its first National Immunisation Days (NIDs) on 9.12.95 and 20.1.96. The present study evaluates the performance of Alwar district, Rajasthan. Modified 30 cluster technique was used to collect information. Overall coverage in rural and urban areas was 89% and 91% respectively. Main source of information was television in urban and health staff in rural areas. Most of the respondents knew about the usefulness of such special activity and had favourable opinion about the facilities provided. Urban Alwar had 80% OPV3 coverage but, in rural area it was almost half. The reported coverage of NIDs and UIP was found to be conflicting with the study results. The existing "dose enumeration method" of calculating reported coverage was attributed to be the cause. The study emphasises the need to incorporate an in-built community-based evaluation of future NIDs and utilisation of such results for planning.