Factors Determining Child Immunisation in Odisha, India: Evidence from Annual Health Survey

On an average, Odisha in India has an alarming 45% children not receiving full immunisation according to Annual Health Survey (AHS), 2010-11; child immunisation ranged from 12% in Rayagada to 82% in Kendrapada district. This paper employs correlation and multiple regression techniques to identify factors contributing to full immunisation using socio-economic and maternal health factors sourcing from AHS and Census, 2011.
Newborns receiving health care within 24 hours of birth is found to be a major determining factor for achieving high immunisation as per correlation analysis. At least 3 ANC visits, post-natal care and newborn care within 24 hours significantly positively correlated to full immunisation. Notably, unmet need of family planning and delivery at home are significantly negatively associated. Further, multivariate analysis indicates strong direct relationship between newborn check up within 24 hours of birth and post-natal care, and full immunisation after controlling other socio-economic factors such as female literacy and urbanisation, and maternal factors. Conversely, analysis also reveals that urbanisation and female literacy do not have significant effect. Study concludes that ensuring MCH services, including in remote areas, leads to improving the minimum level of full immunisation achievement across districts