scholarly journals The Potential Contribution of Supplementary Immunization Activities to Routine Immunization in Kebbi State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272093269
Author(s):  
Semeeh A. Omoleke ◽  
Biniam Getachew ◽  
Catherine S. Igoh ◽  
Taofik A. Yusuf ◽  
Surajudeen A. Lukman ◽  
...  

Background: Among the strategies of the Polio Eradication Initiative, the landmark interventions are routine immunization (RI) and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). RI is the provision of vaccination service at the health facility and conducted year-round. SIAs are a community-based intervention targeting large numbers of an eligible population within a short period. Hence, the study aimed to assess the contributions of SIAs on access and utilization of RI services. Methods: We conducted the study in 10 local government areas in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. We analyzed RI data from January to September 2019 and included the 4 SIAs conducted in January, April, August, and September in the same years. The number of children vaccinated, the trend of BCG, pentavalent vaccine at 6 and 10 weeks, and measles coverage and dropout rates (DORs) were analyzed. Results: For all the selected vaccines, the highest contributions to RI were recorded during the August 2019 fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) campaign. On the other hand, the least contributions were noted during January SIAs. The BCG coverage showed an erratic trend with the lowest in February and highest in July 2019. The coverage for the pentavalent vaccine at 6 and 10 weeks was lowest in February and September. The pentavalent vaccine DOR pattern showed the lowest in February with value of 0% and the highest in June with 12%. Except for May and June, the Pentavalent vaccine DORs for all other months were <10%. February 2019 had the lowest measles coverage. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the integration of RI into SIAs could improve RI coverage. and potentially reduce DOR, especially when the integration is of good quality and conducted at short and regular intervals. Although SIAs are instrumental at increasing RI coverage, the disruption of RI services may occur due to overlapping resources and poor planning. Therefore, SIAs should be adequately planned by program managers to strengthen RI service delivery during the SIAs implementation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazi Zulfiquer Mamun ◽  
Nabeela Mahboob ◽  
Kazi Taib Mamun ◽  
Hasina Iqbal

Oral polio vaccine (OPV) has served as the cornerstone of polio eradication efforts over the past 30 years, trivalent inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) has re-ascended to prominence in the past year, now acting as the sole source of protective immunity against type 2 poliovirus in routine immunization programmes. The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic plan 2013–2018, developed by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) outlines the phased removal of OPVs, starting with type 2 poliovirus–containing vaccines and introduction of inactivated polio vaccine in routine immunization to mitigate against risk of vaccine-associated paralytic polio and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2020; 31(1) : 22-28


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brook Tesfaye ◽  
Alieu Sowe ◽  
Jeevan K. Makam

Abstract Background: Polio eradication efforts in Kenya include the development of a skilled local workforce and the application of innovative technologies. This paper describes the role of Stop Transmission of Polio Program (STOP) consultants and the use of Open Data Kit (ODK) technology in strengthening polio eradication efforts in Kenya.Methods: Overview of the STOP program, deployment, and the modality of support is described. The application of innovative ODK technology was examined. Descriptive analysis was conducted on data collected by the STOP consultants during supportive supervisions using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 22) and maps were developed using Quantum Geographic Information System (GIS) (version 3.4.1).Results: STOP consultants supportively supervised eight hundred seventy health facilities both on routine immunization (RI) and on Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system in 16 (34.1%) counties during the study period. Active surveillance for AFP was conducted in all health facilities supervised, and 11 unreported cases of AFP were detected and investigated. STOP consultants, as part of an outbreak response, provided technical support on five successive rounds of polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) conducted during period studied. Moreover, addressing programmatic data needs, the STOP data manager has played a valuable role in enhancing the quality and use of data for evidence-based decision-making, both routine immunization and AFP surveillance. ODK technology was used in AFP surveillance, routine and supplementary immunization activities being a part of the package of electronic tools available in the country. Conclusion: STOP consultants have contributed extensively to polio eradication efforts in Kenya, through enhancing active case search, supporting outbreak response, strengthening routine immunization program, training/ capacity building of Frontline Health Workers (FLW), data analysis, interpretation and supportive supervision. The application of ODK technology has contributed to generating real-time quality data for informed decision making including spatial data, even in resource-limited hard to reach settings where the likelihood of poliovirus transmission is higher. A national STOP program should be modeled to produce homegrown qualified personnel who are able to support eradication and response activities in Kenya.


Author(s):  
Pacifique Manirakiza

A matter raised consistently by eminent personalities asked to report on atrocities in Africa, such as former South African President Thabo Mbeki, is the utilization of traditional justice mechanisms known to Africans. Their use has been limited to Gacaca courts in Rwanda, set up in haste and subject to much criticism. However, there exist several types and models of traditional justice mechanisms at the African level. The contribution of these sui generis mechanisms towards accountability for heinous crimes is largely unaddressed in academic literature. This chapter intends to fill this gap by exploring their potential contribution towards accountability for heinous crimes, alongside the International Criminal Court (ICC). In short, the chapter explores how community-based judicial mechanisms and the ICC, two types of accountability mechanisms with different methodologies and approaches, can work side by side to eradicate impunity regarding, and also to prevent, mass atrocities on the African continent.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S57-S65 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T Gaensbauer ◽  
Chris Gast ◽  
Ananda S Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Miguel O’Ryan ◽  
Xavier Saez-Llorens ◽  
...  

10.2196/14664 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e14664
Author(s):  
Magid Al Gunaid ◽  
Faris Lami ◽  
Najwa Jarour

The many challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean region put the involved countries at risk of polio transmission and affect their ability to meet progress targets in eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases. The Global Health Development (GHD) and Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) are working together on the project “Strengthening sustainable public health capacity in the Eastern Mediterranean region for polio eradication and routine immunization activities” with an overall goal of improving routine immunization, eradicating poliovirus, and controlling/eliminating or eradicating other vaccine-preventable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the project and the achievements of GHD/EMPHNET over the last 3 years (2016-2018) to build effective surveillance and immunization systems in the Eastern Mediterranean region through the development of a sustainable and competent public health system to eradicate polio and control/eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases. This project assists the targeted Eastern Mediterranean region countries to build effective surveillance and immunization systems in an effort to expand their capacities to eradicate polio and control/eliminate other vaccine-preventable diseases. The project is streamlined with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Strategic Framework for Global Immunization 2016-2020, and the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018. The project also supports the Global Health Security Agenda by focusing on efforts to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats. Project activities were designed to respond to countries’ needs and assist them in building their institutional and workforce capacity to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate activities to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization activities. The project activities covered a set of areas including surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis and other vaccine-preventable diseases, family and community engagement, workforce capacity building, improvement of data quality, management and use of information systems, use of polio assets to control/eliminate other vaccine-preventable diseases, support of countries to develop national strategies, piloting of innovative initiatives, program evaluation and accountability, and immunization strengthening. The project adopts the Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategies for assisting countries to strengthen routine immunization services, maintain highly sensitive acute flaccid paralysis surveillance, and sustain polio eradication functions.


Author(s):  
Sian Anthony

The decision to excavate a modern cemetery in the heart of Copenhagen prompted questions which revealed how the sensitive borderlines surrounding the recent dead are dealt with by archaeologists. When the plans for a new metro line were revealed in Copenhagen, the location of one station within a historic cemetery was controversial. Assistens cemetery is an early example of a landscape, or garden, cemetery (Rugg 1998; Tarlow 2000), designed and ordered according to fashionable contemporary garden principles and aesthetics. It has remained a much-loved place where famous personalities are buried as well as many ordinary citizens of Copenhagen. Although burial within the cemetery has become increasingly rare, it is still in occasional use for new interments and for gardens of remembrance for the burial and disposal of ashes. However, in the 1980s changing municipal plans for the cemetery re-designated large sections of it as a park, as described in Helweg and Linnée Nielsen (2010). This change of status enabled the Copenhagen metro company (Metroselskabet) to consider the placement of a station in one corner of the cemetery. Excavation of this site from 2009 to 2011 resulted in the archaeological recording of the material culture of the cemetery including around one thousand burials, their grave-pits, funerary material culture, and some aspects of the working life of the cemetery (Anthony et al. 2016). Assistens cemetery was originally created in 1760 and later expanded in 1805/6. The excavation focused on the north-west corner of the 1805/6 extension, an area surrounding a cemetery administration building (graverbolig). The area was filled by the mid-nineteenth century and continued to be used intensively for the next hundred years. In the latter part of the twentieth century, coffin burial became less frequent but continued until the 1980s. The occasional placement of cremation urns began in the early twentieth century and continued in large numbers into the 1990s (Helweg and Linnée Nielsen 2010). Burial is now uncommon in the entire cemetery and only takes place in special circumstances. In contrast to UK cemetery regulations, Danish law allows for graves to be removed after only twenty years, so there is the possibility of reusing grave plots after this short period by removing the previous coffins.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Medhin Girmay Reda ◽  
Girma Tenkolu Bune ◽  
Mohammed Feyisso Shaka

Background. High fertility remains one of the most important public health issues hampering the health and welfare of mothers and the survival of their children in developing nations. In Ethiopia, the high fertility rate has been seen for a long historical period with some pocket areas of high fertility still showing poor improvement. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the magnitude of high fertility status (number of children ever born alive≥5) and associated factors among women of the reproductive age group in Wonago district. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 512 women in Wonago district. Data were collected using a pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then analyzed by SPSS version 25. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data, and the adjusted odds ratio with the 95% confidence interval was computed, and a significant association was declared at p value ≤ 0.05. Result. This study revealed that 354 (69.1%) of the respondents have high fertility. High fertility is independently associated with residing in rural area [AOR=4.88, 95% CI: 3.21, 7.86], desire for children [AOR=6.97, 95% CI: 3.24, 11.40], history of under-five child mortality [AOR =5.32, 95% CI: 2.59, 8.43], poor knowledge of contraception [AOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.66, 4.04], and low wealth tertile [AOR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.51, 3.58]. On the other hand, women with age at first birth above 18 years [AOR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.68] and those with birth interval≥24 months [AOR=0, 26, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.49] were less likely to have high fertility. Conclusion and Recommendation. The substantial number of women in the study area has high fertility status far away from the country’s costed implementation plan of reducing the total fertility rate to 3.0. Considering these, much is needed to be done among poor, rural residents, who have not yet attained their desired number of children, and on enhancing the knowledge of mothers towards contraceptive methods.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Heuch ◽  
Ivar Heuch ◽  
Knut Hagen ◽  
Kjersti Storheim ◽  
John-Anker Zwart

Abstract Background Associations between childbirths and subsequent risk of low back pain (LBP) have not been clarified. Changes in sex hormone levels or lumbar posture during pregnancy may have an impact on LBP later in life. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between the number of childbirths, age at childbirths and prevalence of chronic LBP in a general population of women. Methods Data were obtained from the Norwegian community-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT2 (1995–1997). Women aged 20–69 years indicated whether they suffered from chronic LBP, defined as LBP persisting at least 3 months continuously during last year. Information about LBP was collected from 3936 women who had experienced no childbirths, 3143 women who had delivered one child only and 20,584 women who had delivered 2 or more children. Of these, 7339 women reported chronic LBP. The 595 women who were pregnant when information was collected were considered separately, regardless of previous births, with 80 women reporting chronic LBP. Associations with prevalence of chronic LBP were examined by generalised linear modelling with adjustment for potential confounders in a cross-sectional design. Results Women who had delivered one child only showed a higher prevalence of chronic LBP than women with no childbirths (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.22). Among women with one or more childbirths, no overall change in prevalence could be demonstrated with an increasing number of children in analyses adjusted for age at first delivery. In women with at least two childbirths, an age less than 20 years at first childbirth was associated with an increased prevalence of chronic LBP (PR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.25–1.49; compared with age 25–29 years). No association was observed between age at last delivery and chronic LBP. The lowest prevalence of chronic LBP was found among women who were currently pregnant (PR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.63–1.00; compared with women with no childbirths). Conclusions Having experienced at least one childbirth seems to be associated with a higher prevalence of chronic LBP later in life. A young age at first childbirth is also associated with a long-lasting increased prevalence.


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