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 eradication and other public health programs. Due to the focus on building capacity in areas such as monitoring and data collection, generated social data demonstrated impact of communication approaches and has contributed to a better understanding of the behavioral and environmental factors affecting the demand for, and uptake of, health services in Ethiopia's Somali Region.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). Only 16% of the population lives in urban areas. The majority are settled in rural areas, engaged in farming in the highlands and pastoralism in the lowlands (CSA, 2012). Administratively, the country is divided into nine regional states and two city administrations, with regions further divided into zones, woredas (districts), and kebeles (subdistricts). The Somali Region has nine administrative zones consisting of 68 woredas and 786 kebeles (Ethiopia Somali Regional State Bureau of Finance and Economic Development [ESRSBOFED], 2013), with a population estimated at 5.1 million (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 2013). 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).In 2014, Ethiopia announced achievement of MDG4 (Millennium Development Goal 4), 2 years ahead of schedule-reducing the under-5 mortality rate by two-thirds between 1990 and 2012-significant progress for a country that formerly had one of the highest under-5 mortality rates in the world (United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, 2014).Since its inception in 1980 ...
Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a global challenge with estimated over two hundred million girls and women worldwide having undergone the procedure and another three million girls are at risk of being cut yearly. The prevalence of FGM among women and girls aged 15-49 years in Somali region of Ethiopia is 99% compared to the national average of 65%. The study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health care workers on FGM practices in the region.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey and used quantitative method.Results: 36 (17.8%) of the health workers believed FGM was a mandatory religious practice, while 158 (78.2%) regarded it as a cultural practice. All the respondents knew it caused health problems, 32 (15.8%) believed it was a good practice though 176 (87.1%) of the respondents believed it violated human rights of the girls/women and 99 (49%) wanted the practice to continue. 15 (40.5%) had conducted FGM on a girl before, 5 (13.5%) claimed medicalization made FGM practice safer and 5 (13.5%) of the respondents intended to circumcise their daughters in future.Conclusions: Health care workers still have attitudes and practices that positively promote and could encourage FGM practices in spite of their knowledge of the health consequences and their acceptance as a violation of the rights of women and girls. This attitude has high tendencies of depriving the community members of access to accurate information that will enable them to make informed decision about FGM and efforts to eradicate the practice.
Aims: To ensure effectiveness of COVID 19 vaccine in controlling the pandemic, high vaccination coverage rates are necessary to achieve herd immunity which will help reduce the transmission of the virus and ensure reduction in the risk of transmission of infection. The study assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among the adult population in Somali region of Ethiopia. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional analytical study Place and Duration of Study: Somali Region of Ethiopia in October 2021 Methodology: A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation vaccine hesitancy survey question, administered to 433 adult population in eight selected sites. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to test association between vaccine uptake and some selected determinants. The level of significance was set at a p-value<5%. Results: Only 29% of the respondents had received at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine, 219(50.6%) reported no concern at all in getting infected and the perception of low risk of infection was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =12.62, p<0.05). Only 101(23.3%) of the respondents reported that the vaccine was very important in the prevention of the disease and perceived no benefit was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =32.30, p<0.05). Only 79(18.2%) of the respondents believed the vaccine was very safe and perceived lack of safety of the vaccine was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =22.24, p<0.05). There was positive association between level of education and vaccine uptake (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02–2.52; p<0.05 ) while 126(47.5%) of those who had desired to be vaccinated actually got vaccinated. Other factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake were friends getting vaccinated and support by community and religious leaders. Conclusion: The perceived low risk among the population to COVID19 infection which significantly affected the poor vaccine uptake is a major concern. With only half of the population who intended to be vaccinated and ended up being vaccinated shows the need for targeted socio behavioural change communication strategies with focus on benefit of the vaccine not only to individual but to the other members of their community.
Aims: Healthcare workers are known to be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and have a role in transmitting the infection to others in the work environment and communities. Public health measures and vaccination are the major strategies being implemented to prevent and control the infection. The study assessed COVID -19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among health care workers in Somali region of Ethiopia. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Somali Region in October 2021. Methodology: A structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization vaccine hesitancy survey question was used and administered to 427 healthcare workers in eight selected sites. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to assess association between vaccine uptake and some selected determinants. The level of significance was set at a p-value<5%. Results: About 71% of the health workers have been vaccinated at least once and vaccination was significantly higher among those with perceived risk of being infected (χ2 =12.19, p<0.05), perceived benefit of the vaccine (χ2 = 47.30, p<0.05) and perceived protection of the vaccine for their communities (χ2 =22.13, p<0.05). About 45% of the respondents believed the vaccine was very safe and vaccination was significantly higher among those who believed the safety of the vaccine (χ2 = 23.06, p<0.05). Vaccine uptake was higher among medical doctors than other health professionals, (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.09–5.48), p<0.05. The study showed significant relationship between inclination towards vaccination and actual vaccination where about 78% of those who had desired to be vaccinated actually got vaccinated. Other factors associated with vaccination uptake were colleagues getting vaccinated and support by community and religious leaders to vaccination. Conclusion: The study identified key determinants to vaccine uptake among the health workers which included perceived risk of being infected, perceived benefit, safety of the vaccines and perceived protection of the vaccine for their communities. These require targeted Social and behavioural change communication strategies to address.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.