Community Involvement in Polio Vaccination Activities in the Polio Eradication Process in Cameroon

Abstract

Background: The fight against poliomyelitis has been one of the World’s biggest public health challeng. With immunization being the most public health cost-effective strategy, complete eradication of poliomyelitis remains a major public health concern especially in areas where community involvement in polio vaccination activities is poor. Given the fact that community key informants are influential actors in vaccination activities, community involvement is crucial to the polio eradication process. Methods: A review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate and ScienceDirect online in 2017 with poliomyelitis, eradication, community health, community involvement, vaccination activities, Cameroon, Africa and the World as key words. Our search was limited to articles published between 2002 and 2017. A total of 172 articles were identified, of which 26 met our inclusion criteria. Studies to assess community involvement as a primary outcome were reviewed. Results: The importance of assessing community involvement in vaccination activities was found in several of the studies. We identified common factors such as community opinion, benefits, ownership and sustainability, self-fulfillment, numbers game, more perspectives, new information and challenges, as factors influencing community involvement. The review further showed that community involvement in vaccination was the secret behind the success of most countries in the polio eradication process and that increase in vaccination coverage in most countries was due to community involvement. The study also revealed some challenges faced with Community Involvement in vaccination activities. Conclusion: Community partnership and strong accountability systems are critical for all health programs, and polio eradication has shown a pathway for equitable immunization programs to achieve universal coverage.