Forewarning of Poliovirus Outbreaks in the Horn of Africa: An Assessment of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance and Routine Immunization Systems in Kenya

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Walker, Allison Taylor ; Sodha, Samir ; Warren, Wick C. ; Sergon, Kibet ; Kiptoon, Shem ; Ogange, John ; Ahmeda, Abdi Hassan ; Eshetu, Messeret ; Corkum, Melissa ; Pillai, Satish ; Scobie, Heather ; Mdodo, Rennatus ; Tack, Danielle M. ; Halldin, Cara ; Appelgren, Kristie ; Kretsinger, Katrina ; Bensyl, Diana M. ; Njeru, Ian ; Kolongei, Titus ; Muigai, Juliet ; Ismail, Amina ; Okiror, Samuel O.
• Description:
  Background
  
  Although the Horn of Africa region has successfully eliminated endemic poliovirus circulation, it remains at risk for reintroduction. International partners assisted Kenya in identifying gaps in the polio surveillance and routine immunization programs, and provided recommendations for improved surveillance and routine immunization during the health system decentralization process.
  
  Methods
  
  Structured questionnaires collected information about acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance resources, training, data monitoring, and supervision at provincial, district, and health facility levels. The routine immunization program information collected included questions about vaccine and resource availability, cold chain, logistics, health-care services and access, outreach coverage data, microplanning, and management and monitoring of AFP surveillance.
  
  Results
  
  Although AFP surveillance met national performance standards, widespread deficiencies and limited resources were observed and reported at all levels. Deficiencies were related to provider knowledge, funding, training, and supervision, and were particularly evident at the health facility level.
  
  Conclusions
  
  Gap analysis assists in maximizing resources and capacity building in countries where surveillance and routine immunization lag behind other health priorities. Limited resources for surveillance and routine immunization systems in the region indicate a risk for additional outbreaks of wild poliovirus and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Monitoring and evaluation of program strengthening activities are needed.
  
  
• Keywords:
  Adolescent Animals Child Child, Preschool Decentralization Disease Outbreaks Epidemiological Monitoring Female Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Kenya Male Paralysis Polio Poliomyelitis Poliovirus Vaccines Program Review Routine Immunization Surveillance Vaccination

  More +
• Source:
  J Infect Dis. 210(0 1):S85-S90
• Pubmed ID:
  25316880
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC4638114
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  001/WHO_/World Health OrganizationInternational/ ; CC999999/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/
• Place as Subject:
  Kenya
• Volume:
  210
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:14d2e330474b650c7153d305b404b9e2a83f49818ac892a3f2448f76459693f7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/36437/cdc_36437_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 257.48 KB ]