Effect of food coupon incentives on timely completion of DTP immunization series in children from a low-income area in Karachi, Pakistan: A longitudinal intervention study

S. Chandir, A. J. Khan, H. Hussain, H. R. Usman, S. Khowaja, N. A. Halsey, S. B. Omer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study introduced food/medicine vouchers as an incentive to mothers of infants visiting Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) centers in a low socio-economic area. The timely completion of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines combined (DTP) series immunization rates between intervention and control cohorts were compared. The DTP up-to-date immunization coverage at 18 weeks of age increased two-fold (RR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.95-2.48, p < 0.001) in the incentive cohort compared to the no-incentive cohort. While increasing immunization coverage is a complex structural and behavioral process, food/medicine coupon may improve routine immunization coverage in developing countries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3473-3478
Number of pages6
JournalVaccine
Volume28
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 26 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • EPI
  • Immunization coverage
  • Incentives

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Veterinary
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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