PROPOSAL: An Assessment of Strategies for Administering the Oral Polio Vaccine in Insecure Communities of Yobe State
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of strategies for administering the oral polio vaccine in improving polio vaccination coverage in insecure communities of Yobe State.
The specific objectives are to:
- Assess the effectiveness of strategies for administering oral polio vaccine in improving polio vaccination coverage in insecure communities of Yobe.
- Identify challenges and factors contributing to the success or failure of the strategies.
- Examine the relationship between vaccination coverage and cVDPV2 outbreaks in insecure communities of Yobe State.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Review
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus, which primarily affects children under the age of five. It is an acute, infectious disease that invades the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and, in severe cases, irreversible paralysis (WHO, 2023). Polio is categorized into wild poliovirus (WPV) and vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), with both types posing significant public health challenges (Bandyopadhyay et al., 2023).
Poliovirus is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. It can also spread through oral-oral transmission via respiratory droplets (Tomori, 2011). The virus multiplies in the intestine and can enter the bloodstream, where it may spread to the central nervous system, causing damage to motor neurons (Richardson et al., 2023). Factors such as poor immunization coverage, population displacement, and conflict contribute to the continued transmission of polio, especially in conflict-affected regions like northern Nigeria (Kamadjeu, 2023).
The symptoms of polio vary depending on the severity of the infection. Most infected individuals (approximately 70-90%) are asymptomatic but can still spread the virus. Non-paralytic polio presents symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, fatigue, and muscle stiffness. However, in approximately 1 in 200 infections, the virus invades the nervous system, causing irreversible paralysis, typically affecting the legs (WHO, 2023). In severe cases, the paralysis can affect respiratory muscles, leading to death (Más Lago et al., 2023).
Despite extensive global efforts to eradicate polio, challenges persist. The use of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) has been instrumental in reducing polio incidence; however, its administration has led to the emergence of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) in under-immunized populations (Okeibunor et al., 2023). Moreover, political, cultural, and religious opposition to vaccination efforts, particularly in northern Nigeria, has hindered eradication efforts (Yahya, 2023). While the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has achieved remarkable progress, issues of accessibility, security, and vaccine hesitancy remain major obstacles (GPEI, 2024).
Addressing poliomyelitis is essential to achieving global health security. The eradication of polio would represent a significant milestone in public health, eliminating a debilitating disease that has affected millions of lives. However, the continued circulation of VDPVs in areas with low immunization coverage highlights the limitations of current control measures (Manirakiza et al., 2022). The need for innovative strategies and improved accessibility to vaccination campaigns is critical to achieving the ultimate goal of polio eradication.
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