Socioeconomic factors associated with full childhood vaccination in Bangladesh, 2014.

OBJECTIVES

Childhood vaccination in Bangladesh has improved, but there is room for improvement. This study estimated full immunization coverage in Bangladeshi children and characterized risk factors for incomplete immunization.

METHODS

Using the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), full vaccination of children aged 12 to 24 months was examined; this was defined as the receipt of one dose of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), three doses of pentavalent vaccine, three doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV), and one dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV). Associations between full vaccination and selected risk factors were assessed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 83% of children were fully vaccinated. BCG had the highest completion (97%), followed by OPV (92%), pentavalent vaccine (91%), and MCV (85%). Full vaccination coverage ranged from 64.4% in Sylhet to 90.0% in Rangpur and was lowest among non-locals of all regions (78.4%). Children who were in the lowest wealth quintile, who had mothers without antenatal care visits, or who had mothers without autonomy in healthcare decision-making were less likely to be fully vaccinated.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, full vaccination of children is high, but varies by vaccine type. Disparities still exist by wealth and by region. Maternal access to care and autonomy in healthcare decision-making are associated with higher vaccination coverage.