Communication and Polio Eradication Programme - Benin

[Please note: the original presentation is in French.]

This PowerPoint presentation was part of a June 2005 joint United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)/World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting dedicated to examining communication in the context of the final global push to eradicate polio. At this meeting, country-specific presentations were made by communication practitioners in 16 of the 21 countries which have experienced cases of wild poliovirus in 2004 and/or in 2005 (to June). The total number of global poliovirus cases increased from 784 cases in 2003 to 1,255 cases in 2004, with 1,004 cases reported to August 9 2005 (548 for the same period in 2005). Communication strategies presented at this meeting were primarily focused on:

1. Analysing the results of programmes implemented to June 2005, and
2. Detailing the planned communication programme for the next 6 to 12 month period, designed to support a reversal of the above trend and achievement of the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.

The presentation, the original of which is in French, provided an overview of the epidemiological history, as well as the country-specific communication strategies and challenges.

Since 2003, Benin has reported 8 wild poliovirus (WPV) cases (2 in 2003 and 6 in 2004); up to August 2005 no cases have been reported.

The communication environment presents the following situation: lack of local radios in communities situated in the northern part of the country, many cases of resistance to vaccination due to religious beliefs, Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) related rumours spread by local and foreign neighbouring radio stations, insufficient use of community front line mobilisers, absence of integrated communication plans at all levels and low capacity building of staff in charge of communication activities in the whole health system.

The presentation provides a mapping of resistance zones. The major reasons for non-vaccination of children under five are: absence of children in households (49%) and parents' refusals (24%). Parents are informed of vaccination through town criers (47%) and radio (44.5%).

Development communication strategies such as advocacy, social mobilisation, and communication for behaviour change are implemented in order to mobilise leaders and all social groups in favour of polio eradication activities. On this basis, many children not reached during previous National Immunisation Days (NIDs) are said to have been reached and vaccinated in rural areas such as Pérére. In Zongo/Cotonou, 84% of Haoussa children under five were vaccinated during the second NIDs tour in 2005 (only 60% of the same group were vaccinated in the previous round).

Communication activities for the second semester 2005 are suggested in a table following an analysis of weak points, and an identification of human resource needs for the last two rounds of November and December 2005.

Click here to download the full PowerPoint presentation, in French, as a PDF file.