World Health Organization in the African Region: Picking the Gauntlet in the Fight against Poliomyelitis in the African Region

Okeibunor, Joseph

doi:10.21767/2573-0282.100050

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…Between 2013 and 2014, the Horn of African (HoA), comprising of ten contiguous countries in the WHO African Region and the WHO Eastern and Mediterranean Region experienced one of the worst poliovirus outbreaks. The outbreak happened at a time the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was set to complete the work of eradicating polio globally [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . The worst hit countries among the ten countries in the HoA were Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishment and Use of Polio Communication Network in Response to Polio in Outbreak Countries of the Horn of Africa: 2013–2014

Hydarav¹,

Igweonu²,

Anand³

et al. 2021

J Immunol Sci

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Background: Between 2013 and 2014, the Horn of Africa countries experienced a severe and prolonged outbreak of polio viruses. It started in one district in Somalia but quickly became a national and even international disaster, crossing international boundaries into Kenya and Ethiopia. This paper documents experiences in the establishment and contributions of the Polio Communication Network (PCN) to the polio outbreak response in the outbreak countries of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia from 2013 to 2015. Process: The establishment of the PCN network of partnerships and technical assistance was designed to implement a strategic communication response. Various strategies were used to establish the PCN. Some of these strategies included partnerships with faith-based organizations; involvement of local leaders in microplanning; social mobilization committees and research, monitoring, evaluation and documentation structures. Major Outcomes: PCN contributions through sustained high levels of community awareness of polio rounds were demonstrated. The contributions of the context-sensitive approaches included significant gains in reaching traditionally missed, hard-to-reach, pastoral communities with polio information, improved communication capacity, and successful closure of the outbreak within the expected timeline. This PCN experience provides important communication lessons relevant to polio eradication and other public health programmes. The focus on building capacity in areas such as monitoring, and data collection generated social data that led to the communication approaches making a significant impact. PCN contributed to a better understanding of the behavioral and environmental factors affecting the demand for, and uptake of, health services in the HoA which can be extended to most of the countries in the HoA with the same demographic and epidemiological realities. Conclusion: The use of the PCN helped bring the 2013-2014 polio outbreak under control and illustrates how the PCN can help drive progress towards the realization of the agenda of the universal health coverage and vision 2030 agenda in the African Region and elsewhere.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishment and Use of Polio Communication Network in Response to Polio in Outbreak Countries of the Horn of Africa: 2013–2014

Hydarav¹,

Igweonu²,

Anand³

et al. 2021

J Immunol Sci

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“…The detection of new cases of wild polio virus (WPV) in the second half of 2016 was not only a setback but devastating for a region that was close to being certified polio free 1,6 . Thus the threat of polio will only be considered over when polio is completely eradicated when all regions are free of the risk for importation 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation Exercises To Strengthen Polio Outbreak Preparedness in The Horn of Africa: Experiences and Lessons Learnt

Okiror¹,

Nwogu²,

Igweonu³

et al. 2021

J Immunol Sci

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Background: Poliovirus importations and related outbreaks occurred in the Horn of Africa (HoA) following an initial outbreak, which started in Somalia, spread into Kenya within ten days and later into Ethiopia and gradually to other countries in the region. National preparedness plans for responding to poliovirus introduction were insufficient in many countries of the Region. We describe a series of polio outbreak simulation exercises that were implemented to formally test polio outbreak preparedness plans in the HoA countries, as a step to interrupting further transmission. Methods: The Polio Outbreak Simulation Exercises (POSEs) were designed and implemented. The results were evaluated and recommendations made. The roles of outbreak simulation exercises in maintaining regional polio-free status were assessed. In addition, we performed a comprehensive review of the national plans of all for seven countries in the HoA Region. Results: Seven simulation exercises, delivered between 2016 and 2017 revealed that participating countries were generally prepared for poliovirus introduction, but the level of preparedness needed improvement. The areas in particular need of strengthening were national preparedness plans, initial response, plans for securing vaccine supply, and communications. Conclusions: Polio outbreak simulation exercises can be valuable tools to help maintain polio-free status and should be extended to other high-risk countries and subnational areas in the HoA Region and elsewhere. There is also need to standardize the process and methods for conducting POSE for comparability.

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World Health Organization in the African Region: Picking the Gauntlet in the Fight against Poliomyelitis in the African Region

Cited by 2 publications

References 9 publications

Establishment and Use of Polio Communication Network in Response to Polio in Outbreak Countries of the Horn of Africa: 2013–2014

Establishment and Use of Polio Communication Network in Response to Polio in Outbreak Countries of the Horn of Africa: 2013–2014

Simulation Exercises To Strengthen Polio Outbreak Preparedness in The Horn of Africa: Experiences and Lessons Learnt

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