Is behaviour change communication an effective strategy for increasing immunization coverage?

Rajesh Nair, Sapna Sachdeva Nair

Abstract
Increase in immunisation coverage to reduce disease burden is a tangible challenge for public health programmers. This challenge is even bigger under recourse scarce conditions, especially in less industrialised countries. Effectiveness of behaviour change communication (BCC) for increasing immunisation coverage were investigated using epidemiological studies and public health intervention reports via online database ‘PubMed’ and ‘Web of Science’. The lessons learnt and future aspects of BCC in increasing immunisation coverage were analysed. World over immunisation coverage varies disproportionately between industrialised and less industrialised countries. BCC activities are used based on varied levels of expertise of health care providers and availability of resources. BCC messages and tools are designed based on the characteristics of respective community viz. literacy, knowledge, poverty, cultural and religious beliefs, myths and misconception related to immunisation etc. The review has supported use of BCC as an effective strategy for scaling up coverage of immunisation. The analysis has suggested effectiveness of BCC strategy when used in mix with other immunisation interventions.

Key words: Immunisation, coverage, behaviour change communication (BCC)