Authors : O.I. Musa , T.M. Akande , G.A. Salaudeen , A.S. Aderibigbe , A. Bolarinwa and O.R. Jimoh
Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in 1974 with the objectives of reducing childhood morbidity and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases. This innovative action together with the success recorded in smallpox eradication encouraged the WHO to launch the global polio eradication campaign in 1988. The main strategies in addition to existing routine immunizations are supplementary immunization activities and epidemiological surveillance for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP). The dwindling resources available for the programme have made it necessary to revisit all levels of supports by the government and partner agencies. One of the major outcome of this is health sector reforms of the Nigerian government which advocates for strengthening community participation and ownership of health programme/activities to ensure sustainability. This is particularly, important in the ongoing polio eradication campaign which is beyond health facility/workers alone, but rather required household and community involvement. The study was conducted to determine the level of awareness and community sensitization on AFP surveillance and how these have influenced their attitude and practice of AFP case detection and reporting. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 573 consenting adults selected using multistage sampling technique. Pre-tested semi-structure questionnaire were administered to the respondents in their homes by trained research assistants. About one-fifth of the total respondents 114 (19.9%) were aware of AFP surveillance system/activities and only a few 38 (6.6%) could give a reasonable definition or explanation of what AFP surveillance mean. Total 78 (13.6%) of the total respondents had seen AFP case in the previous 3 years prior to interview, while 108 (18.8%) have had a child or ward or household member with AFP. Health workers were the most popular source of information 27 (23.7%) and sensitization 18 (23.1%) on AFP surveillance. Respondents’ awareness and sensitization on AFP surveillance showed no significant difference between the males and females (p>0.05). However, more females than males have been questioned on AFP case by health workers especially during House-to-house supplemental immunization campaigns and this is statistically significant (p = 0.0153). Level of education and types of occupation of the respondents had no association with the respondents’ awareness of or having had sensitization on AFP surveillance. The awareness and knowledge of AFP surveillance is low among the studied population despite the polio eradication campaign that has been on for more than a decade. Intensive health education and community sensitization is required in addition to the current effort to achieve high polio immunization coverage.
O.I. Musa , T.M. Akande , G.A. Salaudeen , A.S. Aderibigbe , A. Bolarinwa and O.R. Jimoh , 2009. Community Awareness and Sensitization on Acute Flaccid Paralysis Case Reporting in a Northern State of Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 4: 4-8.