Cross sectional surveys (EPI cluster survey and missedrnopportuni ty exit survey), interviews with health workers, focusrngroup discussion, and observation of immunization activities, werernconducted in three woredas of South Western Ethiopia to determinernEPI coverage levels and to find out reasons for low coverage. Thernstudy was carried out from November 1993 to February 1994. It wasrnfound that the coverage rate was 42.1% for BCG, 24.4% for DPT3,rn24.3% for OPV3, ?8.8% for measles, and 32.3% for maternal TT2.rnThe study has indicated that religion, occupation, educationalrnstatus and economic status of the parents and place of birth of thernchild have influence on starting or non starting of immunization ofrnchildren while marital status of the mother and the number of underrnfive children do not.rnDefaulting for childhood immunizations is 31.7% while it isrn26.1% for maternal TT. Reasons for defaulting are: differentrnobstacles (48.5%), lack of information (36.4%), and lack ofrnmotivation (9.2%).rnFor maternal TT, starting of immunization was influenced byrnreligion, occupational, educational and economic status of therncouple, number of children under five and place of birth of childrnwhile it is not influenced by marital status of the mother.rnMissed opportuni ty exi t survey revealed that missedrnopportunity of immunization is 47.2% for women and 23.8% forrnchildren. Important reasons are lack of information (27.1%) and nornoffer from health workers (25%).rnvirnFocus group discussion of caretakers, discussion with healthrnworkers and observation of EPI activities were undertaken by thernprincipal investigator to clarify and strengthen the surveyrnfindings and these revealed that indeed there are problems,rncorrection of which may lead to the intended goal of universalrnchild immunization.rnFinally recommendations are made based on the study findings