142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

305704
CROSS- Border Wild Polio VIRUS Transmission in CORE Group Polio Project Areas in Ethiopia

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Filimona Bisrat, MD, MPH , CORE Group, CORE Group Polio Project in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Legesse Kidane, MSc , CORE Group, Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Kibrom Abraha, MPH , CORE Group, CORE Group Polio Project in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bezunesh Dinku, MD, MPH , CORE Group, CORE Group Polio Project in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Frank Conlon, MSc , CORE Group Polio Project in USA, Washington DC
Mesganaw Fantahun, MD, MPH, PHD , Maternal and Child Health, Addis Ababab Universty, School of Medicen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background: Ethiopia interrupted indigenous polio transmission in April 2008. However, it remains at risk of re-infection because of importation of polio virus from bordering countries.

 Objectives: Assess polio immunization activities and risk of wild polio virus (WPV) importation in CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) international border areas of Ethiopia.

 Methods: The study employed key informant interviews of community volunteers (CV), health extension workers (HEWs), program coordinators, managers and other stakeholders, as well as focus group discussions (FGDs) with community and religious leaders in six border districts (woredas) located in three regions of the country. It was conducted in March and April 2012.

 Results: Thirty-three key informant interviews and six FGDs were conducted. Immunization coverage was reported to be low and misconceptions about causes and transmission of polio were abundant. There was extensive cross-border movement of people for various reasons and mechanisms for prevention of cross-border polio transmission were generally absent. AFP case detection and reporting was generally low.

Conclusion and recommendations:  Cross-border transmission of polio can occur from several frontiersSuggestions to control cross-border polio transmission included establishing and/or strengthening cross-border collaboration with responsible counterparts in neighboring countries by using existing cross-border forums and structures to create community awareness, share  information and resources, design and implement strategies for identification of children who are eligible for vaccination or who are suspected AFP cases. In addition districts should coordinate supplemental immunization activities to coincide with when adjacent districts in neighboring countries are carrying out similar actions.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Assess polio immunization activities and risk of wild polio virus (WPV) importation in CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) international border areas of Ethiopia.

Keyword(s): Immunizations, Data Collection and Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a holder of Medical Doctor and Master of Public Health and attended several short courses related to my profession. I have worked for about twenty five years in the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Administration for Refugees and Returnees Affairs and Non-Governmental Organizations in different capacities and responsibilities. Currently, I am working as Secretariat Director of the CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia (CGPP-E).
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.