Reducing resistance against polio drops

Aims: The present study was carried out to impart correct health education regarding polio eradication programme and to assess the impact of social mobilization of a Muslim community carried out by medical interns. Methods: One round of a polio immunization campaign was selected randomly. Five highly resistant areas were included in the study. During house to house A-Team activity, teams of health workers visited the houses and resistant families were identified. These families refused to give polio drops to their children. On the second day of A-Team activity, medical interns visited those identified resistant families. They imparted correct health education and tried to convince them to give polio drops. However, after prolonged persuasion, some of the families were not ready to give polio drops. These more resistant families were again visited by more motivated and enthusiastic teams during B-Team activity, started two to three days after the completion of A-Team activity. Data were collected, tabulated and analysed. Results: Total number of resistant families identified during house to house A-Team activity was 1025 in five high risk areas of Aligarh, India. Out of 1025 resistant houses, 510 (49.76%) houses were converted to P houses where polio drops were given to the children. Five hundred and fifteen (50.24%) houses remained resistant even after social mobilization by A-Team members. These most resistant houses were again visited by B-team members. Out of these 515 houses, polio drops were administered in 303 (58.83%). The overall number of converted houses was 813 (79.32%) after A and B-team activities. 20.68% of families remained resistant and their children could not be given polio drops. Conclusions: In all high risk areas, maximum numbers of resistant houses were converted to P houses. These families were persuaded and convinced by the teams of interns, social workers and influential persons that polio drops did not have any side effects. They were more receptive to the advice given by medical interns compared to other staff members of the Government District Hospital because of quality of health services provided to the community. There is a need to impart correct health education regarding importance of polio drops and routine immunization more vigorously through information, education and communication (IEC) activities.