Communication for Polio Eradication: Improving the Quality of Communication Programming Through Real-Time Monitoring and Evaluation

Abstract

Communication is a critical component in assuring that children are fully immunized and that simultaneous immunity is attained and maintained across large geographic areas for disease eradication and control initiatives. If service delivery is of good quality and outreach to the population is active, effective communication—through advocacy, social mobilization, and program communication (including behavior change activities and interpersonal communication)—will assist in raising awareness, creating and sustaining demand, preventing or dispelling misinformation and doubts, encouraging acceptance of and participation in vaccination services, more rapid reporting of disease cases and outbreaks, and mobilizing financial resources to support immunization efforts. There is evidence of 12% to 20% or more increases in the absolute level of immunization coverage and 33% to 100% increases in relative coverage compared to baselines when communication is included as a key component of immunization strengthening. This article utilizes evidence from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Nigeria to examine how the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has utilized monitoring and evaluation data to focus and improve the quality and impact of communication activities.

Notes

¹The countries that have not interrupted WPV transmission and therefore are considered to be polio endemic are Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

Source: The CI (2008).

²Community mobilization coordinators (CMCs) are positions within the polio eradication social mobilization network in India, focused within UP and Bihar. Anganwadi workers (AWWs) are health positions functioning through the government-sponsored Integrated Child Development Services system throughout India.

³A Fatwa in the Islamic faith is a religious opinion on Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lora Shimp

Lora Shimp is currently working for the USAID-funded Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program, managed by JHPIEGO and John Snow, Inc., Washington, DC, USA.