Communication For Polio High Risk Groups in Balochistan - Reaching The Underserved
Communication For Polio High Risk Groups in Balochistan - Reaching The Underserved
Communication For Polio High Risk Groups in Balochistan - Reaching The Underserved
Balochistan is 45% of total land of the country and only 5.1% of the population the population density in the province is low and highly dispersed.
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Balochistan reported the highest number of polio cases in any province of Pakistan
73% of the total cases in province were reported from Quetta ,Pishin and Killa Abdullah
ARABIAN SEA
2011
2012
66 % of polio cases below 2 years of age 75% of polio cases are Pashto Speaking 73% of polio cases are reported from three districts of Balochistan Quetta, Pishin and Killa-Abdullah. 83% of polio cases belong to low social economic groups 59 % of polio cases belong to rural town/villages 77% cases living in Multiple Family Dwelling 42% of Polio cases are OPV refusals
Who are the Polio High Risk Groups in Balochistan?- Pashtun speaking population
First Language of confirmed polio cases (2007-2012 till date)
Confirmed polio cases(percentage)
75%
12% 0%
Urdu
10% 1%
0%
Punjabi
1%
Siraiki
2%
Sindhi Balochi Bravi Pashto
Other
Vaccination Status (Routine+SIAs) of Non Polio AFP Cases age 6-35 months, (Balochistan) in 2011*
Pashto Non-Pashto
14%
23%
3%
30%
14% 69%
17% 30%
0 dose
1 - 3 doses
4 - 6 doses
7 + doses
12 11
2 1 1 1 1 1 1
Achakzai
Kakar
Syed
Noorzai
Tareen
Khilji
Mengal
Lehri
Marri
Meshwani
Hotak
Magsi
12.8
Once
Always
68
51
Punjabi
Sindhi
Pathan
Baloch
Don't know
% Punjabi
% Sindhi
% Pathan
% Baloch
% Afghan
Afghan Refugees
Who are the Polio High Risk Groups in Balochistan? Mobile and Migrant Population
There is a intense population movement with in the province , in between Balochistan and other provinces and cross borders : Approximately 2500 eligible children cross PakistanAfghanistan border each month at friendship gate Districts with
Polio Cases
Cross border Populations: Moving for trade, health and other services
Afghan Refugees : Residing in temporary or permanent settlements in different areas of Balochistan particularly the districts which share border with Afghanistan Seasonal migrants : include Agricultural workers ,construction and industrial Laborers (skilled and non-skilled) ,population frequently moving for social or religious festivals
Brick kiln workers: living within the brick kiln areas or small temporary settlements near work places
Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) : Mainly population from FATA due to the conflict and Sindh due to floods
Highly Mobile Population Movement between South East & Southern Region Afghanistan & Balochistan
DI Khan
Tonsa
DG Khan
Who are the Polio High Risk Groups in Balochistan? OPV Refusals
Refusal Confirmed Polio Cases in Balochistan(2011)
Non Refusals
60
50
Refusals
40
30 20 10 0 Killa-Abdullah Psihin Quetta
42% 58%
Communication activities to address the High Risk Groups in High Risk District of Balochistan
High risk groups as Mobile populations and clusters of refusal families are mapped using social data Families on the move are mobilized for OPV Partners from the medical and religious community actively participate in social mobilization Families from High risk groups are mobilized for OPV. Enhanced Pakistan-Afghanistan cross border coordination
Media
Religious communities/Institutions
Transporters Associations
Tribal elders
Teachers
Madrissa Schools Ministers From High Risk Landowners Districts Religious leaders
Human Resource support for communications COMNet in High Risk Areas of Balochistan
New 3rd Party Management Structure to relieve burden on EDOs and strengthen monitoring and reporting of results
Social Mobilizers
DHCSO
Union Council Communication Officer
Social Mobilizers
Human Resource support for communications COMNet in High Risk Areas of Balochistan
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8 District Health Communication Support Officer, 31 Union Council Communication Support Officer and 192 Social Mobilizers are deployed in 5 High Risk Districts
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56% of social mobilzers, 58% UCOs are Pastho speaking and 62% DHCSOs are Pashto speaking DHCSO
UCO Social Mobilizer
Mosques in the Union Council Kharotabad, Quetta, Balochistan Mosque Name Alam Khan Masjid
Haji Muhammad Zai Masjid
Masjid thoothpull Jamia Haqqania Spin Masjid Masjid Haqsa Masjid Alam Khan Masjid Surankhail Jamia Masjid Kharotabad Masjid Mohhammadi Masjid barakhail Masjid paindkhail Tokhi Masjid Masjid shalabagh fakir Masjid Bandarkhail Masjid Bangul Passani
Address Mirza Khan Street Kharotabad Near Govt. primary Schol Kharotabad kharotabad Ghairabad Ghairabad Baboo Zehri kharotabad Surankhail Near Kharotabad Bridge Saleh Agha Street Near middle school khrotabad Rasheed Nasar street Ganda nala
Khateeb's/Imam's Name Molvi Yahyah Khan Molvi Ali Mohammad Molvi Abdul Salam Molvi Miarajuddin Molvi ezatullah Molvi Mohammad Hanif Molvi Saadullah Molvi Dost Mohammad Qari sultan Molvi Abdul Rasheed
Route of Traveling
Maps developed identifying entry and exit routs for the mobile population to support transit strategy
Nomadic population of Afghans tribes Nomadic population of brahvi tribes Nomadic population of Afghans tribes Nomadic population of brahvi tribes Nomadic population of brahvi tribes Nomads Crossed Naseerabad at toll Plaza Shahi chowki
Identification of the mobile population in Naseerabad/Jafferabad who will be travelling to Quetta block : Ensuring they are fully immunized and sharing the community links with Quetta team
Key contacts established within the nomadic population ,seasonal migrants ,refugee settlement areas and brick klin workers. Focusing on the elders ,TBAs and group leaders. Identification of informers for the communities here for connection to and information on arrivals and movement IPCs /Awareness sessions held for the population on move. Display of visibility material at transit points , highways and entry-exit points . Promotion of routine immunization through group meetings of nomadic population
Polio information booth established at the Hospitals and transit points ad bus stations /railway station. Information booths are established to share information regarding polio with population travelling and visiting hospitals to seek health facilities- the only tertiary care hospitals in Balochistan are present in Quetta which receive patients from all over Balochistan and across the borders
Improved visiblity at transit points ,through branded buses transit booths ,banners , wall chalking etc
Orientation sessions held for members of PMA particularly belonging to Quetta, Pishin and Killa-Abdullah. Public engagement through press briefings arranged by members of PMA in High Risk areas as Pishin and Killa Abdullah. Participation of doctors in community meetings and school sessions to dispel misconceptions Information sharing with local First Line Heath care providers regarding campaign dates , OPV safety and display of visibility material at their centers
Key religious leaders have been involved at provincial ,district and UC level through advocacy meetings and religious seminars. The religious groups provide support in addressing refusals , creating awareness regarding campaigns through inaugurations or announcements and inform of written endorsements
Key achievements include working together with JUI in field, working closely with Male and Female Madrissas and Iqra schools through awareness sessions
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Focus of the activities is creating awareness regarding OPV safety and endorsing religious support through mosque announcements, Friday sermons and written FATWA
Political parties as PKMAP , JUI ,ANP and other pashtoon parties have been engaged at district and Union Council level these parties have exhibited their support inform of inaugurations, participating in community meetings, identification of polio teams and addressing refusals. Particular awareness sessions have been held for parliamentarians from the High risk districts
Meetings with tribal elders of Achakzai ,Kakar ,Syed and Tareen tribes have been conducted at district and union council level. Tribal elders have supported the polio program in provision of local team members, in providing safe access to polio teams and addressing refusals . COMNet team are also invited at the Jirgahs to share the current situation of outbreak in the district and to urge fellow tribes men to support Polio campaigns
Stakeholders have been brought together at one platform in the form of polio walks, al parties conferences and grand jirghas in which hundreds of participants show their support to PEI by working together
Traditional mediums as vehicle announcements and mega phone announcements are used to promote campaign dates and key messages in the High Risk Areas
Interactive theaters/Speech and drawing competitons have been conducted in the schools of High Risk areas- particularly focusing on OPV refusals
Polio awareness festivals for women conducted in Naseerabad ta and Jafferabad- to create awareness regarding polio vaccination amongst women from high risk groups
Refusals Covered by COMNet staff in Quetta Block (August 2011 -March 2012)
August
September Quetta
Mar-12
Way forward..
Political support :Sustained partnership with PKMAP and JUI
Religious support : Partnership with National Research and Development Foundation for advocacy with religious leaders and capacity building of COMNet staff on working with religious groups Tribal support : Focus efforts on active involvement of Achakzai tribes.
Improved women involvement : Women to women communication through Traditional birth attendants by Balochistan Rural Support Program
Way forward..
Engaging local radio channels particularly Pashtoon transmissionto promote OPV safety and efficacy . Improved awareness through sports events in the High Risk areas Involving Football clubs across the border. Using ootball as an entry point to Pashto communities Visibility at transit points through branding for the new 3 months transit point strategy
Way forward
Communication planning for the new Short Interval Additional Dose Strategy A step closer to eradication
Thank you