Abstract:

Background: By 2013, Kano State was the hub of polio transmission in Nigeria. Polio campaign monitoring data indicated a high proportion of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) refusals were emerging as a major impediment to polio eradication in Nigeria particularly in Kano state. We conducted a qualitative study to identify reasons for OPV refusals and effective methods to improve OPV acceptance.

Methods: We conducted In-depth interview (IDI) using a structured guide. We identified non-compliant households using vaccination tally sheets and interviewed male or female caregivers who had refused OPV for their children at least once in the previous supplemental immunization activities (SIA).

Results: Seventeen interviews were conducted across the LGA. Of the 17 respondents, 13 (76.5%) were males. On the question” Is polio a significant health problem in the community” 14 (82.4%) answered no and explained that it should not be a priority but other more serious and prevalent diseases, 3(17.6%) answered yes and explained that it is a significant health problem since they have seen few cases. On why they refused OPV, about half felt there were other more important community needs, three felt they had no need for OPV and lacked trust in Government, five were worried the vaccine may be harmful. On what would they suggest toward making polio campaign more successful, more than half responded more/proper community awareness.

Conclusion: Misconceptions about OPV is a major cause of OPV refusals. Public enlightenment and aggressive awareness campaigns on OPV should be scaled-up. Government should provide other essential community needs.

Keywords: Assessment, Reasons, OPV refusals, Kano State.

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