The Awareness about NIDs Program in a Rural Area of Al-Nahrawan District of Baghdad

Abstract

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND:A cross sectional study was conducted to explore the awareness of the local population of AL-Nahrawan district about National Immunization days (NIDs) and their major sources of information about the campaign.METHODS:A total of 476 households, selected randomly during the first NIDs round of the year 2000, were screened using pretested questionnaires. The questionnaires include questions about various aspects of NIDs campaign.RESULTS:There were 61.8% females, 70% aged between 20-39 years and about 79% were either illiterate or can just read and write. The study reveal that 88.2% of the respondents were aware of the NIDs but only 10.5% knew the date of the next NIDs and less than half of the respondents (43.3%) were understood the purpose of the program. Tow aspects of the NIDs ( whether a previously immunized child is involved in NIDs and whether involved children should be vaccinated again in the next NIDs were understood by the majority of the respondents 92.2% and 78.2% respectively). Among the various media used to increase awareness of population about NIDs, the television was the most popular.CONCLUSION:The general awareness about NIDs program in AL-Nahrawan district is acceptable which probably reflect the successfulness of the program in Iraq. Some points about the program need to be verified and reinforced.