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Social Mobilisation for Polio Eradication in Cameroon

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Presented at: The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting on Communication for Polio Eradication

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Summary

[Please note: the original presentation is in French.]

This PowerPoint presentation was part of a June 2005 joint United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)/World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting dedicated to examining communication in the context of the final global push to eradicate polio. At this meeting, country-specific presentations were made by communication practitioners in 16 of the 21 countries which have experienced cases of wild poliovirus in 2004 and/or in 2005 (to June). The total number of global poliovirus cases increased from 784 cases in 2003 to 1,255 cases in 2004, with 1,004 cases reported to August 9 2005 (548 for the same period in 2005). Communication strategies presented at this meeting were primarily focused on:

  1. Analysing the results of programmes implemented to June 2005, and
  2. Detailing the planned communication programme for the next 6 to 12 month period, designed to support a reversal of the above trend and achievement of the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.


This presentation provided an overview of the epidemiological history, as well as the country-specific communication strategies and challenges within Cameroon.



From 2003 to June 2005, 16 cases of wild poliovirus (WPV) were reported in Cameroon (2 cases in 2003; 13 cases in 2004 and 1 case in 2005). A key risk factor reported is that the country shares a long common border with Nigeria (one of 6 polio endemic countries). High risk zones are described as being known and mapped, including those specific to certain special groups such as nomads, pygmies, refugees and some religions.

The communication environment is made up of a large and well diversified network of public and private media, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local associations. Results of a post-National Immunisation Day (NID) monitoring survey revealed that the primary communication channels were: vaccinators and health agents (38%), social mobilisers (34%), radio (28%).

The strategic communication approach implemented consists of advocacy, social mobilisation, communication for behaviour change and training.

In spite of the high immunisation rates recorded during the first three rounds of NID's in 2005 (above 100%), 5 to 6% of children under five are still missed, many households are not visited (more than 30% ) and the quality of training local teams is to be improved.

The main challenge is to advocate for more funding in favour of data-based communication activities at community level.

A list of remaining communication challenges is also provided. The country is planning to organise two more rounds of polio NIDs in November and December 2005.

Click here to download the full PowerPoint presentation, in French, as a PDF file.