POLIO VACCINATION

AN ANALYSIS OF CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL BARRIERS

Abstract

Background: Polio is a viral disease causing infantile paralysis in the community.
This study cultural and traditional barriers to Polio Vaccination. Pakistan in order to explore the
cultural and traditional barriers in vaccination against polio. Setting: Tehsil Kwazakhela, Swat,
KPK. Methods: A total of 200 respondents were selected from 364 household’s population. A
conceptual framework based on cultural barriers to polio vaccination (dependent variable) and
impediments to polio vaccination (dependent variable) was worked out and uni-variate analysis
for percentage and Chi square test statistics was carried out for association between variables.
Results: At uni-variate level majority of the respondent’s i.e. 98% argued that misconception
is a great issue in the area and 98.5% respondents treat the new born through traditional way.
Furthermore, 79.5% masses were in favor of clergy’s fatwah and 95% were agreed that polio
vaccine caused immodesty, 81.5% were facing hurdles due to religious background, and 68 %
responded that polio vaccination affected from terrorism, 92% agreed that polio vaccination is
against the prevalent culture. At bivariate level myth, clergies fatwah, polio vaccine is an American
ploy and common superstition spread by radicals were found significant with impediments to
polio vaccination. Conclusion: A well patronized campaign over media through proper display
of victims from polio with explicit display of agonies from the victims is essential. Support from
clergies and other regional religious institutions will help in the success of campaign to fight
against Polio.