A serious threat to new generation: refusal of vaccination against poliomyelitis among local population of different educational levels in district Lakki Marwat, KP Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan 53 Polio positive cases were diagnosed in 2013 which is the highest number of cases reported for any country. In Pakistan polio vaccination process is stuck due to so many reasons including low awareness and militancy. District Lakki Marwat was selected as target area, as so many misconceptions regarding Polio vaccination refusal were reported there. Respondents were interviewed from different areas (rural and urban) of district Lakki Marwat. Reviews of those responded were recorded who refused to vaccinate their children. Education level of those respondents was also recorded to observe the awareness level of the respondents. About 253 respondents were included in this study. Out of them 103 respondents vaccinated their children while 100 refused to vaccinate their children. Similarly, 50 of them were reported fake vaccinated i.e. they didn’t vaccinate their children eventually show their vaccinations status “ok” or “Done” in government record. Major reasons of polio refusal were recorded in this study i.e. Pre -term Maturity, Low Mental Capacity, Mental Retardation, Religious issues, Swine Fats composition, Swine Urine composition, Other misconception, Demand Based/Elders order, Cause other diseases, Non- reliability, Expired vaccine. Concept of infertility was more common among population with secondary literacy level, as well as from graduates. Concept of prematurity was more common among illiterates and among graduates as well. No educated person was following the concept of having Low mental capacity by using this polio vaccination. Amazingly the concept of Mental Retardation was not reported among illiterates while it was more prevalent among educated respondents.