Polio in Pakistan: Social constraints and travel implications.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in Pakistan has faced failure despite being implemented successfully. Polio cases were successfully reduced by 99% until 2005. However, thereafter, new polio cases were registered, which continue to rise annually. This repeat polio outbreak has placed the country on watch by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to travelers, and Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The present report reviews the published literature for determining the social constraints to the polio eradication initiative in Pakistan. Religion, politics, awareness, insecurity, inequity, governance, and social responsibility have been identified as key social factors in the failure of any vaccination campaign. Possible interventions have been proposed, which include effectively using modern mass media and educating vaccinators on the social and cultural background of the target community.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan.
Asim
A
Mushtaq
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan. Electronic address: sajid.mehmood@uog.edu.pk.
Sajid
S
Mehmood
Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ateeq Ur
MA
Rehman
Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Asma
A
Younas
Department of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Saif Ur
MS
Rehman
Faculty of Sciences, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan.
Muhamamd Faheem
MF
Malik
Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad Zeeshan
MZ
Hyder
D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D011057:Politics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014195:Travel
Pakistan; Polio; Socioeconomic factors; Travel