This was presented at the June 2004 UNICEF meeting dedicated to examining communication in the context of the final push to eradicate polio. The presentation provided an overview of the epidemiological history, current trends and risk factors in Afghanistan, as well as the country-specific communication strategies.

In 2003, there were 7 districts with 8 cases of wild polio virus; so far in 2004, there have been 2 cases reported, both located in the South. The Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system, which had shifted from clinical to virological classification, was revived in January 2002 after the September 11th crisis, and an extensive network of AFP sentinel sites was established. Reasons for children being missed in the South during National Immunisation Days (NIDs) in 2003/04 are detailed, as are current major risk factors.

The strategic communication approach adopted includes: advocacy (e.g., Heads of State and Governors of all provinces participate in the NIDs); social mobilisation (involvement of community/religious leaders, mosque announcements, radio and TV); programme support communication (introduction of community-based social mobilisation workers); and training (specifically, for community-based social mobilisers, Imams, etc.).

Communication objectives are quantified and integrated with routine immunisation strategies, for example: "increase immunisation seeking behaviour to achieve 80% coverage for routine by end 2005". The communication environment includes the media (most effective is radio, with 67% access). A survey of post-NID monitoring results indicates the distribution of social mobilisation channels - primarily TV/radio (31%), mullah (25%) and social mobiliser (34%). Ongoing challenges and future strategies are also discussed.

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