The Polio Communication Network Contribution to the Polio Outbreak Response in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, 2013–2015

Shalini Rozario,Bukhari Shikh Aden,Mohammed Diaaeldin Omer,Aron Kassahun Aregay,Kathleen Gallagher,Sahardid Mohamoud Abdi

doi:10.1080/23762004.2017.1330604

Shalini Rozario, Bukhari Shikh Aden + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1080/23762004.2017.1330604

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Abstract

This article explores the Polio Communication Network’s (PCN) contribution to the polio outbreak response in the Somali Region of Ethiopia from 2013 to 2015. The PCN strategies and innovations include the establishment of a communication network of experts, development of partnerships with locally trusted and influential groups, and capacity building of local structures. Results show PCN contribution through sustained high levels of community awareness of polio rounds and low rates of noncompliance with polio vaccination in line with the national indicator (< 1%). We argue that the context-sensitive approaches made significant gains in reaching traditionally missed, hard-to-reach, pastoral communities with polio information, improved communication capacity, and expertise, and contributed to the successful outbreak closure. The PCN experience in the Somali Region, one of Ethiopia’s lowest-performing regions for health indicators, provides important communication lessons for the long term relevant to polio ...

Highlights

In the Doolo zone, independent monitoring (IM) report the top sources of information, similar to the overall Somali Region, to be Percentage of informed parents
The results can be summarized into three categories: contribution to increased awareness; addressed resistance; and an established base of knowledge, human resource capacity, and technical expertise for improved child health
Evidence shows that mothers are influential decision makers for child health, as they generally have the main responsibility to take their children for vaccination: A national study reported that 85% of immunization decisionmaking power in the Somali Region belonged to women (Michael et al, 2012)

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Introduction

SHALINI ROZARIO1, MOHAMMED DIAAELDIN OMER1, KATHLEEN GALLAGHER2, ARON KASSAHUN AREGAY2, BUKHARI SHIKH ADEN3, and SAHARDID MOHAMOUD ABDI3 1United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2Expanded Programme on Immunization, World Health Organization, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 3United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Somali Region Field Office, Jijiga, Ethiopia. Ethiopia is the second most populous country on the African continent, with a population of 90 million in 2015 (Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia [CSA], 2015), and shares international borders with Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. It is one of the fastest growing economies on the African continent (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health [FMOH], 2015). The backbone of the health system in Ethiopia is primary health care, which—through its flagship Health Extension Programme, established by the FMOH in 2003—provides promotive, preventive, and curative community health services (FMOH, 2012)

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