"The study aligns with GPEI [Global Polio Eradication Initiative] strategies to undertake evidence-based polio vaccine promotion and to place human behavior in the center to fight polio." Although Ghana has not experienced circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks since 2021, the country remains vulnerable to reinfection and acc
"The system has been used to identify COVID-19 misinformation, disinformation, and rumors, which were addressed in a timely manner." A number of studies have highlighted the negative effects of the so-called COVID-19 "infodemic" on public perceptions of the pandemic and reluctance to comply with public health guidance, including willingness to acce
Nurzhynska, Nikoi); Communication for Development (C4D) consultant (
Abebe) Success factors, barriers, and other lessons learned from advocacy, social mobilisation, and community engagement play a pivotal role in supporting cVDPV2 outbreak response. Although the last confirmed polio case in Ghana had occurred in 2008, in July and August 2019, the country confirmed 3 events of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). From the onset of the outbreak, the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service (MOH/GHS) declared a public health emergency of national concern; consequently, massive house-to-house vaccination campaigns were carried out by GHS and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in various regions. The United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF), a GPEI partner, was one of the key actors in supporting social mobilisation and community engagement in all rounds of the response. In this document, UNICEF Ghana shares key learnings in the area of social mobilisa
Nurzhynska, Nikoi); Communication for Development (C4D) consultant (
Abebe) Health workers, religious leaders, and CSOs [civil society organisations] play an important role in convincing refusals and engaging and mobilising community members. From July 2019 to November 2020, 31 circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases were confirmed in 10 regions of Ghana. In response, the Ministry of Health (MOH) declared a public health emergency of national concern, and different rounds of oral polio vaccine (OPV) campaigns were conducted. Though the massive campaign involved knocking on the doors of individual caregivers, issues of missed children and refusals related social determinants and behaviours posed challenges to the response, which was also complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This report from the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF) details the results of focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted in November and December 2020 by four civil society organisa