title: Youth Group Engagement in Noncompliant Communities During Supplemental Immunization Activities in Kaduna, Nigeria, in 2014.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the major challenges being faced in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative program is persistent refusal of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and harassment of vaccination team members by youths. The objective of the study was to describe the strategy of collaborating with recognized youth groups to reduce team harassment during vaccination campaigns and improve vaccination coverage in noncompliant communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed data from polio vaccination activities in OPV-refusing communities in the Igabi and Zaria local government areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State in Nigeria. We evaluated the following factors to determine trends: enhanced independent monitoring data on the proportion of children missed by vaccination activities (hereafter, "missed children"), lot quality assurance surveys, and vaccination team harassment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of missed children decreased in both LGAs after the intervention. In Igabi LGA and Zaria LGA, the lowest proportions of missed children before and after the intervention decreased from 7% to 2% and from 5% to 1%, respectively. Lot quality assurance survey trends showed an improvement in immunization coverage 1 year after youth groups' engagement in both LGAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic engagement of youth groups has a great future in polio interruption as we approach the endgame strategy for polio eradication. It promises to be a veritable innovation in reaching chronically missed children in OPV-refusing communities.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Audu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mkanda
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Fadinding
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Manneh
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Korir
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Charity
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Warigon
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gali
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Umeh
authors.affiliation: Global Public Health Solutions, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nsubuga
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chevez
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rui G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Vaz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D060740:Disease Eradication; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D055810:Lot Quality Assurance Sampling; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral
keywords: OPV-refusing households; polio supplemental immunization activities; youth engagement