Health metrics improve childhood immunisation coverage in a rural population of Andhra Pradesh.

Infant and child mortality- including deaths due to vaccine-preventable diseases- remains high in the rural areas of India. In Andhra Pradesh- the immunisation coverage of children in the 12-23 month age-group has progressively declined to 43%- indicating the immediate need for taking corrective steps. The Rural Effective Affordable Comprehensive Healthcare (REACH) project- based on the health metrics strategy was initiated to improve childhood immunisation coverage. Information on the immunisation status of children was recorded and each child was tracked with the help of a computerised database to provide timely immunisation. The health metrics strategy resulted in complete immunisation (96%) of all the 698 children in the 12-23 month age-group residing in the villages of the Medchal Mandal in the year 2007- as compared to 43% reported by the National Family Health Survey-3. Action oriented health metrics coupled with information technology can thereby improve childhood immunisation significantly.