Polio eradication in Nigeria and the role of the National Stop Transmission of Polio program, 2012-2013

Abstract

To strengthen the Nigeria polio eradication program at the operational level, the National Stop Transmission of Polio (N-STOP) program was established in July 2012 as a collaborative effort of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since its inception, N-STOP has recruited and trained 125 full-time staff, 50 residents in training, and 50 ad hoc officers. N-STOP officers, working at national, state, and district levels, have conducted enumeration outreaches in 46,437 nomadic and hard-to-reach settlements in 253 districts of 19 states, supported supplementary immunization activities in 236 districts, and strengthened routine immunization in 100 districts. Officers have also conducted surveillance assessments, outbreak response, and applied research as needs evolved. The N-STOP program has successfully enhanced Global Polio Eradication Initiative partnerships and outreach in Nigeria, providing an accessible, flexible, and culturally competent technical workforce at the front lines of public health. N-STOP will continue to respond to polio eradication program needs and remain a model for other healthcare initiatives in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Keywords: Nigeria; global polio eradication initiative; national stop transmission of polio; routine immunization; supplemental immunization activity.

Figure 1.

Geographic distribution of the assignment of National Stop Transmission of Polio (N-STOP) program local government area (LGA) officers in Nigeria, by LGA, as of July 2013.

Figure 2.

Geographic distribution of local government area (LGAs) enumerated by the National Stop Transmission of Polio (N-STOP) program in Nigeria during Immunization Plus Days from August 2012 to July 2013.