Analysis: Polio Eradication in Nigeria

"Communication interventions in Nigeria have proven to be a vital part of the polio eradication effort. The success of the polio communication efforts can be verified by the 12% reduction in the number of missed children, as the well as the increase in overall coverage."

This article describes and analyses new communication strategies that are being implemented in an effort to eradicate the wild polio virus (WPV) from Nigeria as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The communication efforts were developed based on the results of a survey that identified numerous factors affecting immunisation rates, such as the reasons families refused treatment, the source of the families' information, and the factors influencing the family decisions. The data provided insight into how to develop and deploy effective communication initiatives that reached specific communities.

National efforts began with a forum of traditional religious leaders and the media to establish support for upcoming immunisation rounds. The forum created a list of action points that included:

• asking the Sultan for an additional commitment to polio eradication;
• engaging the Governor of Borno State to address the challenges of local anti-polio preaching;
• sending a letter in Arabic to all Koranic Schools informing them of the coming round of immunisations;
• enlisting the assistance of Islamic Voluntary Aid workers who are affiliated with Koranic schools' vaccination teams; and
• increasing the radio and television exposure for Ministry of Religious Affairs officials.

A national mass media operational plan was developed that re-established a media sub-committee and created a new organisation, Journalists Initiative on Immunization against Polio (see Related Summaries, below). To complement town announcements, mobile van announcements were introduced in high-risk areas. Subsequently, thousands of children in high-risk states were reached in Koranic schools through child-to-child and youth outreach participation programmes. A series of community dialogues, in partnership with the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigerian (FOMWAN) mobilised 313 schools, sensitising 685 teachers. FOMWAN also played a role in 76 ceremonial events that reached 4,831 women. In the ensuing house-to-house mobilisation, over 72% of non-compliance cases were resolved. Efforts to improve documentation and data evaluation processes were also bolstered. For example, maps created by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria country office offer insight on where communication interventions need to target noncompliance issues.