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

[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.

The presentation provided an overview of the epidemiological history, as well as the country-specific communication strategies and challenges within the Central African Republic (CAR).

From 2000 to October 2003, no cases of wild poliovirus (WPV) were reported in CAR. From November 2003 to October 2004, 31 cases were reported (1 in 2003, 30 in 2004). To date in 2005 no cases of WPV have been reported. In 50% of the cases reported, children had not been vaccinated (low immunity). In addition, the routine Polio3 rate is low (49%).

The presentation underlines that the political environment in CAR has been calm since the election of the President of the Republic; however, insecurity is still an issue in Ouaham Pende and Ouham near the Sudan border.

The media environment is made up of six public radios, one national television network, a United Nations radio (Ndeke Luka) and one religious radio (Evangelic). Radio is the main communication channel through which parents are informed about vaccination (66%).

Communication objectives for 2005 are presented. Communication strategic principles include: priority given to interpersonal communication, use of local media and the involvement of religious leaders and associations. Polio eradication activities related to the above principles are listed.

The main challenges remaining are: to ensure security in some areas, to reach all minority and special groups such as pygmies and to advocate for a significant financial contribution from the government and the private sector in the funding of vaccination activities.

Some ways to strengthen routine vaccination are listed and planning details for the two National Immunisation Days (NIDs) scheduled for November and December 2005 are provided.

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