title: Knowledge and perceptions of polio and polio immunization in polio high-risk areas of Pakistan.
abstract: Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where polio is endemic, and Pakistan reports the most cases in the world. Although the rate is lower than in previous years, the situation remains alarming. We conducted a mixed methods study in high-risk areas of Pakistan to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices of target populations about polio vaccine and its eradication, and to estimate coverage of routine immunization and oral polio vaccine. We surveyed 10,685 households in Karachi, 2522 in Pishin, and 2005 in Bajaur. Some knowledge of polio is universal, but important misconceptions persist. The findings of this study carry strategic importance for program direction and implementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan. atif.habib@aku.edu.
authors.forename: Muhammad Atif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sajid Bashir
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Soofi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Noshad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Imtiaz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Farhana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tabassum
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zamir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Suhag
authors.affiliation: Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Women and Child Health Division, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zulfiqar Ahmed
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Bhutta
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D060740:Disease Eradication; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines
keywords: Pakistan; knowledge and perceptions; polio; polio immunization