importance of public health education: polio immunization in west
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1st Annual International conference of the African Science Academy Development Initiative
Importance of Public Health Education: Polio Immunization in West Africa
OPV Safety Controversy, Nigeria Case Study
Background
• Polio campaigns suspended in several northern states
• Negative media discussion about safety of vaccine in national and international media
• Trusted community and religious leaders speak out against polio vaccine
• Mistrust in oral polio vaccine leading to non-acceptance
Impact of Negative Communication
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
J-02 M M J S N
J-03 M M J S N
J-04 M M J S N
J-05 M M J
Num
ber o
f cas
es
WPV1 WPV3
OPV controversy
Negative communication about polio vaccine in Nigeria:
• Decreased acceptance of vaccine
• Increased number of polio cases
Impact of Negative Communication
Negative communication about polio vaccine in Nigeria:
Spread of negative vaccine messages to other parts of Africa
Spread of polio to polio-free countries from Nigeria
Wild virus type 1
Wild virus type 3
Public health education strategy
•Rebuilding public trust•Ensuring high political commitment•Focusing on community/family centered
activities•Sustaining engagement of religious &
traditional leaders, civil society •Increasing media visibility •Community mobilizers in high risk areas
Focus: Reaching every child with polio vaccine
Use of data for public health education
Source of information in selected states
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
Town C
rier
Radio TVMosqu
e/ChurchHealth
Work
erTraditio
nal Instit
ution Other
Not Aware
of the C
ampaign
KanoNigerLagos
Benue
OPV Safety
Child Sick
Religious Belief
No Felt Need
Political Difference
No care giver consent
Unhappy with ImmunizationpersonnelToo many rounds
Reason Not given
Non-Compliance Data
Key communication elements for building support for immunization
Grassroots
Media/Public Awareness
Policy Change
• Large scale public flag off campaigns
• President directs Governors to monitor progress
• Engagement of religious and traditional networks
• Working with nomadic groups• Working with private sector,
including mobile phone companies• High level visits to Governors &
religious leaders • Involvement of community leaders
Intensified Advocacy and partnerships
Community education focus
• Community mobilizers in high-risk areas
• Visits/revisits to non-compliant homes by mobilizers
• Flag-offs at community levels
• Engagement of local influencers
• Religious statements and announcements
• Involvement of traditional media – local theatre, mobile cinema, town criers, folk singers
• Mass Media – radio drama, TV spots, jingles
Media for behaviour change
• Broadcasting in national languages • Special broadcasts to minority groups• Media monitoring generating human interest stories
to stimulate adoption of positive behaviours• Folk media including town criers activities
stimulating dialogue• Theatre for Development performances followed by
community dialogue• Mobile cinema shows followed by community
dialogue
Results – Increase in acceptance
National Non-compliance Caseload Nov 04 - May 05
87500
90000
92500
95000
97500
100000
Nov 04 Feb 05 May 05
No.
of H
ouse
hold
s
Results – increase in coverage
< 80% reported Cov
80-89% reported Cov
> 90% reported Cov
April 04 Community Mobilisers deployed in VHR LGAs, August 2004
October 04
May 05
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