Polio in Pakistan: political, sociological, and epidemiological factors

Polio in Pakistan: political, sociological, and epidemiological factors

Andrade, Gabriel E.
Hussain, Azhar

English

20181027

Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan remain the only countries in the world where polio is still a serious threat. This review article addresses the political, sociological, and epidemiological factors behind the failure in eradication. A relatively popular Nigerian conspiracy theory about polio vaccines spread in Pakistan and, as a result, there is some considerable resistance to polio vaccination. Conspiracy theories about vaccines have a long history, and the fact that polio vaccinators were used as spies in order to plan for Bin Laden’s death has made polio vaccination a bigger challenge. Furthermore, vaccination is strongly correlated with literacy and Pakistan is still struggling against illiteracy. However, these obstacles are by no means insurmountable, and a joint effort by the government, policymakers, education department, community mobilizers, and public health professionals can indeed make major improvements.

9.7

9.7; 9.5.1; 7.1; 9.1; 21.1; 1.2

epidemiolgy [pri]; poliomyelitis [pri]; public health [pri]; trust [pri]; vaccines [pri]

bioethics; communicable disease; deception; immunization; health education; health personnel; Muslims; nongovernmental organizations; politics; public opinion

Pakistan

Afghanistan; Nigeria; World Health Organization

conspiracy theories; war on terror

Cureus 2018 October 27; 10(10): e3502: 10 p.

Copyright © 2018, Andrade et al. Creative Commons Attribution License

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42 refs.

21688184 (online)