Involving Healthcare Providers as Community Advocates for Vaccination against Polio in High Risk Area in Sindh, Pakistan

Background Polio immunization campaigns in Pakistan continue to face challenges such as refusals by community resulting in decreased coverage. Bridge Consultants Foundation, a NGO implemented a project in Sindh with support... [ view full abstract ]

Background

Polio immunization campaigns in Pakistan continue to face challenges such as refusals by community resulting in decreased coverage. Bridge Consultants Foundation, a NGO implemented a project in Sindh with support of UNICEF in 2012-13. We sought to evaluate key features.

Description
The project was funded by UNICEF and was started in August 2012. The objectives were to sensitize healthcare providers (HCPs) in target areas to support polio vaccination campaigns, work as an advocate for polio eradication and help in decreasing the misconception about polio. In order to achieve these objectives, potential HCPs were identified and mapped; advocacy sessions were conducted that were supported by renowned pediatricians; polio messages were developed; TVs and DVD players were installed at selected HCPs’ clinics and a study comprising of exit interviews at clinic of HCPs were conducted to determine whether the project made any impact.

Lesson learned
The project demonstrated the feasibility of making HCPs polio advocates. A total of 1389 HCPs were mapped and out of these 675 HCPs were identified as polio advocates. One hundred HCPs were provided equipments which played messages in the waiting areas. Advocacy sessions were well attended by HCPs and government officials. At the end of the project, 102 parents were interviewed. 93% reported noticing the TV messages that were played in the waiting area of clinics. 61% informed that their HCP educated them about polio. After watching the video a large proportion (89%) of them suggested that they are convinced that polio drops are beneficial.

Conclusion
This project helped in removing misconceptions about polio vaccination particularly among the underprivileged individuals. In order to have a more substantial impact, immunization coverage needs to be increased in poorest groups and special strategies should be identified to reach mobile populations and underserved groups.

Key words
Polio, community advocates, Pakistan