Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
ISSN: 2161-0665
Awranoos Ahadi
Bolan Medical College, Quetta, Pakistan
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediatr Ther
The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region was declared free of the poliovirus in 2014. Despite global success in eradicating wild poliovirus, In South Asia particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan, it remains a persistent challenge. We aimed to conduct a systematic review regarding the obstacles towards polio eradication efforts in South Asia. Methods: Relevant literature from the past five years was systematically examined using the PubMed database detailing the challenges faced in eliminating polio from the region. The search terms included ‘barriers’ and ‘polio’ and ‘South Asia’. The included articles were exported to the Rayyan software for screening. Articles were then screened rigorously for abstracts and full texts based on the inclusion criteria mentioned with the aid of 2 independent reviewers. Data extraction was conducted to retrieve relevant information on the demographic profile of affected populations, clinical presentation of barriers, prevailing challenges in laboratory investigations, strategies employed for vaccination, and outcomes of eradication efforts. This study is exempted from IRB approval. Results: Out of these 42 articles initially found, 21 were reviewed using Rayyan and 17 articles were included in the final systematic review. Of these, 10 studies were conducted in Pakistan, 4 in India, and 3in Afghanistan. Social, religious, political, professional, political, and vaccine-related barriers were identified. Out of these, the most common barrier was social misconceptions about the vaccine 47 %( N=8), which included fear of female infertility, adverse effects, perceived conspires from other religions, and illiteracy. The second barrier identified was religious beliefs41% (N=7) regarding the vaccine and its influence on vaccination campaigns. There were safety issues 23% (N=4) for polio workers, leading to fear among them, which was the reason for the failure of multiple campaigns. The unavailability of cold chains and resistance to polio strains 23% (N=4) have also been identified as barriers in this part of the world. Additionally, regional conflicts, natural disasters, and large-scale migration remain significant factors contributing to the failure of polio eradication in South Asia. Conclusion: This systematic review identified major barriers to the failure of polio eradication in South Asia. Multiple obstacles, including cultural barriers, vaccine hesitancy, political instability, and healthcare infrastructure deficits, have played a role in the continued threat of polio in these countries. Key words: Polio, eradication, South Asia
Awranoos Ahadi is an international medical graduate from Pakistan with a special intrest in pediatrics and global health.