Volume 13 Issue 8
Pediatric immunization programs and public health outcomes in territory care centres of Balochistan Pakistan
1Dr. Abdul Waris, 2Dr. Uzma Qudoos, 3Dr. Wazma Naeem Kakar, 4Dr. Junaid Ahmed, 5Dr. Irfan Ullah, 6Dr Muhammad Tahir Zehri, 7Dr. Abdul Manan, 8Dr. Imran Khan, 9Syed Nisar Ahmed, 10Sana Ullah Kakar
1Paediatric Resident Sandeman Provincial Hospital SPH Quetta
2Bolan Medical Collage Hospital BMCH Quetta
3Bolan Medical Collage Hospital BMCH Quetta
4Resident in Paediatric Post Graduate Institute PGMI Quetta
5Medical Officer District Head Quarter Hospital Lorali
6Associate Professor Department of Paediatrics Bolan Medical Collage Hospital BMCH Quetta
7MCPS Tranee Paediatric Sandeman Provincial Hospital SPH Quetta
8PGR Department of Medicine Sandeman Provincial Hospital SPH Quetta
9Trust grade ST1/2 in Paediatrics-United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, UK
10Balochistan Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences BIPBS Quetta
ABSTRACT
Background: Especially in low-resource environments, vaccination is a critical factor in determining a child’s survival and a pillar of public health. Despite worldwide progress in lowering vaccine-preventable illnesses (VPDs), structural, cultural, and logistical obstacles still cause poor vaccination rates in places like Pakistan’s Balochistan. The effectiveness and effects of pediatric vaccination programs in tertiary care facilities in Balochistan are evaluated in this study.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the main obstacles and enablers affecting vaccine uptake among children under five and to assess the effectiveness, coverage, and public health impact of pediatric vaccination programs in Balochistan’s tertiary care facilities.
Methods: Over the course of six months, a qualitative study was carried out in tertiary care facilities in Balochistan. Purposive sampling was used to choose 170 participants in total, including parents, medical professionals, and vaccination personnel. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data. To find trends on vaccination procedures, difficulties, and results, thematic content analysis was employed.
Results: According to the survey, 72% of youngsters had received all recommended vaccinations against polio, whereas rates for other illnesses such as pneumonia (47%) and hepatitis B (55%) were lower. Children who were not immunized frequently suffered from gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. Poor access and side effect fear (39%) were major obstacles. Health professionals brought attention to logistical problems like managing vaccine stocks and disrupting the cold chain.
Conclusion: The administration of vaccinations depends heavily on tertiary care facilities, yet in Balochistan, systemic inefficiencies and community-level obstacles severely reduce program efficacy. To increase vaccination coverage and enhance child health outcomes, targeted interventions are necessary. These include parent education, mobile outreach, better logistics, and health professional training.
Keywords: Pediatric immunization, public health outcomes, Tertiary care centers, Balochistan, Pakistan
