Prevalence of immunization among children zero to twelve months old in the rural health unit of Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte: A retrospective analysis

Background: The prevalence of immunization in the Philippines has steadily improved over the years, with the country achieving high coverage rates for many of its vaccination programs. According to the World Health Organization (2023), the Philippines has a national immunization coverage of 86% for the third dose of Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DPT3) vaccine, which is above the global target of 80%. The most commonly administered vaccines in the country include those for diseases such as measles, polio, tetanus, and tuberculosis [1]. These vaccines are given to children as part of the routine immunization schedule recommended by the DOH [2]. This is a study on the prevalence of immunization of children aged zero to twelve months in Barangay Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, Philippines and the result of this study reflects the immunization status in the said part of the country.

Methods: For this study, the researchers used retrospective type of study. A retrospective research design is a type of research study that looks back in time to analyze data that has already been collected [3]. The researchers gather data from existing sources, such as medical records, the data collected from 2020 to 2022. Retrospective studies are often used to answer questions about the relationship between past exposures or variables and specific outcomes. Researchers seek to identify associations, patterns, or correlations in historical data. Retrospective studies are often more cost-effective and quicker to conduct than prospective studies, as they rely on existing data. With the use of this method, the researchers attempted to analyze, interpret and report the present status of immunization of children aged zero to twelve months old in Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte.

Results: There are more males than females that have been vaccinated by BCG, Hepatitis B, DPT 1, DPT 2, DPT 3, OPV 1, OPV 2, OPV 3, IPV, PCV 1 PCV 2 and PCV 3 from year 2020 to year 2022 with the difference of 297 for BCG male, 242 for HEPA B male, 197 for DPT 1 male, 208  for DPT 2 male, 238 for DPT 3 male, 236 for OPV 1 male, 179  OPV 2 male, 248 for OPV 3 male, 269 for IPV male, 237 for PCV 1 male, of 260 for PCV 2 male, and 120 for PCV 3 male. For MMR there are more females than males that have been vaccinated from year 2020 to year 2022 with the difference of 25 females. DPT 3 is the highest availed vaccine by male and MMR vaccine by female from 2020 to 2022. OPV 2 is the lowest availed vaccine by male and OPV 3 by female from 2020 to 2022. DPT 3 is the highest availed vaccine by male and MMR vaccine by female from 2020 to 2022. OPV 2 is the lowest availed vaccine by male and OPV 3 by female from 2020 to 2022.

Conclusion: There is no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of immunization between males and females among infants aged 0-12 months for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. This study emphasizes the dynamic nature of vaccination coverage, influenced by changes in the eligible population and varying rates of coverage for individual vaccines. The observed decline in fully immunized percentages calls for targeted interventions and strategies to address gaps in immunization coverage.