Process evaluation of the first national immunization day in Bangladesh

During and immediately following the first NID, a process evaluation was conducted to identify operational difficulties and potential solutions. In order to improve the implementation of future NIDs in Bangladesh, the process evaluation placed emphasis on the NID activities for the urban poor, who are considered to be a hard-to-reach and underserved population. A total of 100 vaccination sites were observed during the NID and 286 exit interviews were conducted in these sites. Immediately following the NID, focus group discussions were held in four city corporations and four district municipalities with local managers, caretakers who participated in the NID, and caretakers who did not participate in the NID. Recommendations include (1) improving site organization; (2) developing a strategy to recruit more participants; (3) advising parents to bring their children back for routine immunization; (4) publicizing results of NIDs; and (5) obtaining help from government organizations, political parties, national and local leaders, the media, businesses, teachers, medical personnel, and social organizations. (Author abstract)