Knowledge Attitudes and Practices about Polio in Sudan

The results of this study show that the polio eradication effort has been successful in reaching many of its objectives for most Sudanese. The results do show that a small disadvantaged group of people who are difficult to reach, have not been so affected by the programme. This group has no access to Mass Media and seems to be mainly in the conflict ridden areas e.g. Upper Nile province. The only way to reach these groups would appear to be through social networks or other traditional channels.

In terms of Media Habits, Television access has grown in importance to where it is now a close second to radio – which still is the number one channel. UNICEF should consider making more use of television as it does not appear to be a medium that many people recall as far as information about National Immunization Days (NIDS) is concerned.

In terms of communication campaigns, the results show that school age children have less knowledge than adults about certain aspects of polio. While the primary targets of the campaign are parents and guardians, UNICEF requested that we also look at the knowledge of children. Given this result there is reason to believe that a school’s based programme could help inform youth and prepare them for their role as future parents.