Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Mothers Towards Expanded Program on Immunization in District Poonch AJK

Abstract

Background: Childhood immunization is a cornerstone of public health, yet vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and regional disparities remain critical barriers to full coverage in low-resource settings. In rural areas like District Poonch, AJK, limited data exist on maternal perspectives, leaving a gap in understanding the sociocultural and knowledge-based determinants influencing immunization adherence. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of mothers toward the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in District Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and examined the association between maternal education and knowledge level to identify key areas for intervention. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 60 mothers (n = 60) with at least one child under 10 years. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. A structured, pretested questionnaire assessed KAP variables. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews in Urdu and analyzed using SPSS v27. Ethical approval was obtained from the IRB of NN University (IRB/2018/IM-001), and the study followed the Helsinki Declaration. Results: 91.5% of mothers were classified as highly knowledgeable. A significant association was found between maternal education and knowledge level (χ² = 10.21, p = 0.0371). Nearly all mothers (98.3%) completed their children’s immunization schedules and proved strong positive attitudes. Conclusion: While overall maternal knowledge and immunization practices were commendable, gaps stay in technical understanding of contraindications and vaccine timing. Education-focused strategies are vital for enhancing immunization uptake in underserved regions like AJK.