Afghanistan Polio Communication Review Recommendations (Communication Strategies for Polio Eradication)

This PowerPoint presentation was prepared for a September 2007 United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)-hosted meeting dedicated to examining polio communication efforts in Afghanistan. In support of the final global push towards polio eradication, regional presentations were given by in-country communication and health practitioners working in Afghanistan's polio endemic regions. These were assessed by an external panel of experts in the fields of development communication, mass media, epidemiology, and anthropology, who provided communication programme recommendations based on data presented by the country teams, as well as data gathered on field visits to the endemic states. Communication strategies presented at this meeting were primarily focused on:

1. Analysing the results of programmes implemented through September 2007
2. Detailing activities on national and sub-national levels, with a focus on transient populations, security concerns, and social mobilisation, media, and political advocacy strategies
3. Suggesting communication strategy and programme refinements for the next 6- to 12-month period, designed to support Afghanistan's polio eradication efforts

This series of PowerPoint slides was presented at the conclusion of Afghanistan's polio communication review meeting by the expert panel, and comprises a set of recommendations to refine the programme in several major areas of concern. Overall, the panel acknowledged enormous gains in polio immunisation since eradication activities began in Afghanistan in 1994, including; strong political commitment; involvement of religious and community leaders; and a newly developed branding and national awareness campaign. Major challenges were also noted, however, and recommendations to address these were discussed in the following main areas:

Strategic Approach to Communication Activities

The panel presented a model for identifying, planning, implementing, monitoring, and refining locally-appropriate communication strategies using a more data-driven approach than is currently seen within the programme.

Communication Strategy

It was suggested by the panel that the programme should:

1. develop a comprehensive national and provincial level communication strategy by October 2007;
2. ensure the development of indicators and micro-plans to address local challenges; and
3. utilise baseline data in the ongoing national media programme.

National Level Capacity

It was felt that the inter-sectoral involvement between ministries at the national level should be translated more effectively into action at the provincial and district level. In addition, more active communication should take place at higher levels with implementing non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and they should be formally contracted to carry out polio activities in order to involve NGO representation within national and provincial level polio committees. In addition, the team expressed the need for immediate recruitment of a qualified full-time polio communication officer at the national level to be appointed by November 2007.

Provincial Level Capacity

The review panel stated there was a gap in human resources at the provincial level, and recognised the need for all high-risk provinces to have an assigned polio communication focal point at the provincial level. This individual was seen as someone who would work in concert with the provincial health team and report back to the national polio communication officer.

The panel also felt it important that inter-sectoral polio communication committees should be established at the provincial level in high-risk provinces to review and oversee provincial communication strategy and monitor implementation at the district level.

District Level Capacity

A similar gap in human resources was witnessed at the district level, and the expert panel suggested appointment of a district communication coordinator by December 2007. This individual was seen as someone who should be trained by and ultimately report to the provincial communication focal point, and who would work in concert with the polio district team.

Training at the district level was seen as lacking an adequate focus on locally adapted scenarios, and it was suggested that training materials be reviewed and updated by November 2007. The enhanced involvement of women and community leaders was also seen as particularly important.

Monitoring Process

It was recommended that the use of updated social mobilisation campaign monitoring tools should be ensured in all provinces, and that communication monitoring data be collected and analysed regularly to modify subsequent activities.

Security

Given the immense difficulties of vaccinating children in inaccessible or security-compromised zones, the panel made the following recommendations:

1. Initiate mapping of inaccessible areas and populations at the sub-district level
2. Intensify coordination at high levels regarding security
3. Expand successful strategies such as access negotiators
4. Pilot the use of community monitoring to assess quality of campaigns in these areas
5. Use alternative social networks at the community levels to gain access

Cross-Border Issues and Mobile Populations

The review panel recognised the good collaboration between Pakistan and Afghanistan teams in synchronising immunisation activities, and recommended the following:

• Continuation of regular meetings between provincial level teams
• Sharing of common communication materials, messages, and initiatives in border areas
• Ensuring of appropriate location, visibility, and shelter for vaccination posts

Follow-Up to Communication Activities

The consistent and regular assessment of polio communication activities in Afghanistan was noted as essential in ensuring their success. The panel had three main recommendations in this regard:

1. Regular (bi-monthly) convening of national-level meetings to review progress
2. Expansion of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Polio Eradication mandate to include a communication expert, as well as updates by the national polio focal point
3. Development of a time-bound action plan by the Ministry of Public Health and partners to ensure implementation of the above recommendations

Click here to download the full PowerPoint presentation.


Click here to download the detailed report on these recommendations as a Microsoft Word document.