title: Knowledge and practice of frontline health workers (Health Extension Workers and Community Volunteer Surveillance Focal Persons) towards acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case detection and reporting in pastoralist and semi-pastoralist areas of Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Front line workers in pastoralist and semi pastoralist areas are expected to play a vital role in detecting cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess knowledge and practice of Heath Extension Workers (HEWs) and Community Volunteer Surveillance Focal Persons (CVSFPs) on AFP case detection and reporting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional survey involving 70 Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and 71 Community Volunteer Surveillance Focal Persons (CVSFPs) was conducted in 9 districts in Core Group Polio Project Implementation areas of Ethiopia from March 1-April 30, 2013. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty four HEWs (48.6%) searched for AFP cases by going from house to house, while 27 (38.6%) did not perform any function specific to AFP surveillance. Twenty (28.2%) and 7 (9.9%) of CVSFPs respectively, indicated using a case definition of AFP which included paralysis and acute paralysis. Nine (12.7%) of the CVSPF provided responses that did not include paralysis while 22 CVSFPs (31.0%) did not know the case definition of AFP. Three HEWs and 9 CVSFPs claimed to have detected and reported AFP cases. Thirty-eight (53.5%) CVSFPs had received training on community-based surveillance while 33 (46.5%) had none. Thirty nine (54.9%) of the CVSFPs reported having received supervision during the last six months, 22 (31.0%) of whom reported having received feedback.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate pertinent knowledge on AFP and inadequate training and supervision appear to be obstacles for effective AFP detection by front line health workers in the study communities.
authors.affiliation: CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia, P.O.Box 5674, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Muluken
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asres
authors.affiliation: CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia, P.O.Box 5674, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Filimona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bisrat
authors.affiliation: CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia, P.O.Box 5674, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Yetnayet
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.affiliation: CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia, P.O.Box 5674, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Bethelhem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asegedew
authors.affiliation: CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia, P.O.Box 5674, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Beharu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Getachew
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Mesganaw
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fantahun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011159:Population Surveillance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014838:Volunteers; D055815:Young Adult