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. 2021 Nov 11;40(Suppl 1):1.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2021.40.1.15816. eCollection 2021.

An assessment of the contribution of National Stop Transmission of Polio Program to Nigeria's Immunization Program

Oladayo Biya  1 , Wiedad Roodly Archer  1 , Julia Rayner  2 , Ralph Welwean  1 , Ayodele Jegede  3 , Sara Jacenko  4 , Sarah Pallas  4 , Taiwo Abimbola  4 , Kirsten Ward  4 , Eric Wiesen  1
Affiliations

An assessment of the contribution of National Stop Transmission of Polio Program to Nigeria's Immunization Program

Oladayo Biya et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: In July 2012, the National Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) program was established to support the Government of Nigeria in interrupting transmission of poliovirus and strengthen routine immunization (RI). NSTOP has approximately 300 staff members with the majority based at the Local Government Area (LGA) level in northern Nigeria.

Methods: An internal assessment of NSTOP was conducted from November 2015 to February 2016 to document the program´s contribution to Nigeria´s immunization program and plan future NSTOP engagement. A mixed methods design was used, with data gathered from health facility, LGA, state, and national levels, through structured surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and review of program records. Survey and expenditure data were summarized by frequency and trends over time, while interview and focus group data were analyzed qualitatively for key themes.

Results: The majority of the 111 non-NSTOP LGA respondents reported that NSTOP officers supported polio campaigns (100%) and supervised RI sessions (99.1%). Out of 181 respondents at health facility level, the majority reported that NSTOP trainings improved their knowledge (83.3%) and skills (76.2%) on RI, and NSTOP officers regularly supervised their RI sessions (96.7%). Most respondents reported that there would be a negative impact on immunization activities if NSTOP officers were withdrawn.

Conclusion: Future implementation of NSTOP should be realigned to (a) give highest priority to mentoring LGA staff to build institutional capacity, (b) ensure increased capacity translates to improved provision of RI services, and (c) improve routine review of program monitoring data to assess progress in both polio and RI programs.

Keywords: Government of Nigeria; National Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) program; poliovirus; program evaluation; routine immunization.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of all NSTOP-supported LGAs in Nigeria and those LGAs sampled for the internal assessment of NSTOP
Figure 2
Figure 2
Assessment of performance of NSTOP officers by their peers at the local government level (N=111)
Figure 3
Figure 3
NSTOP program expenditure by funding source and program activities, 2012 - 2015
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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