Evaluating an immunization carpool service for women in rural areas for facilitating routine childhood immunizations in Pakistan -a feasibility study on acceptability, demand, and implementation.

INTRODUCTION

Poor accessibility of immunization services coupled with limited options for transportation and socio-cultural norms that hinder women's mobility are among the key factors contributing to poor immunization coverage in rural areas. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of establishing a free-of-cost, women-only carpool service for immunization in a rural setting in Pakistan and evaluated its preliminary impact on immunization coverage and timeliness among children.

METHODS

We conducted a feasibility study in four selected immunization facilities in Shikarpur District, Sindh. A local transport vehicle was hired and branded as an immunization carpool service. Women having un- or under-immunized children aged ≤2 years were invited to visit immunization facilities using carpool vehicles. Information on demographic indicators and service experience was collected. Child immunization details were extracted using the government's provincial electronic immunization registry to estimate immunization coverage and timeliness.

RESULTS

Between January and October 2020, six immunization carpool vehicles provided uninterrupted service and transported 2422 women-child pairs, completing 4691 immunization visits. Majority of women reported that the carpool service improved accessibility (99.6%) by offering group travel (82.9%) and reducing their dependency on family members (93.4%). Preliminary estimates reported an increase in immunization coverage and timeliness across antigens among participating children compared to non-participating children, with significant increase in proportion for BCG coverage (38.1%; p < 0.001, CI: 32.8%, 43.4%) and measles-2 timeliness (18%; p < 0.001, CI: 13.3%, 22.4%).

CONCLUSION

A women-only immunization carpool service implemented within a rural setting is feasible and highly acceptable. Key factors contributing to the model's success include increased mobility and independence of women, cost-savings, and a culturally and contextually appropriate mechanism of transport embedded within the local setting. Increased accessibility to health services also contributed to improved immunization coverage and timeliness among children.