title: Newborn tracking for polio birth dose vaccination in pastoralist and semi-pastoralist CORE Group Polio Project implementation districts (woredas) in Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estimates of immunization coverage rates in Ethiopia varied widely, but were consistent in that polio birth dose coverage is much lower than other antigens, particularly in semi-pastoralist and pastoralist areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Examine pregnancy and child delivery practices and identify mechanisms for improving polio birth dose coverage in CORE Group Polio Project implementation districts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based cross sectional study was conducted in March - April 2012 involving 600 women who delivered in the previous one year. Interviews were also conducted with key informants, Traditional Birth Attendants and, Health Extension Workers complemented by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community leaders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred twelve women (52.0%) had attended antenatal care at least once during the last pregnancy. Five hundred forty nine women (91.5%) delivered their last baby at home. Polio coverage was 29.7%, 19.7%, and 32.7% by history, by card and by history or card respectively. Antenatal care attendance was the main predictor of polio birth does utilization adjusted for other factors. Discussion with FGD participants revealed the prevailing knowledge on polio including misconceptions, and immunization service utilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Newborn tracking for improving polio birth dose requires raising awareness among women and the community at large, strengthening mechanisms for identification and follow up of pregnant women at the community level, coordinating and strengthening the activities of front line health workers, and improving accessibility of health service.
authors.affiliation: CCRDA/CORE Group Polio Project Ethiopia, P.O.Box 5674, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Legesse
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kidanne
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: Bezunesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dinku
authors.affiliation: CORE Group Polio Project, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lynch
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; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010355:Patient Identification Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines