Social Mobilization Through Theatre For Emergency Polio Outbreak
Donor
UNICEF Ghana
Period
November 2020 – February 2021
Location
Greater Accra, Central and Eastern Regions
Polio Outbreak Response in 3 Regions in Ghana
Results
Reached 5249 people (comprising 1648 males and 3599 females) duty bearers, caregivers, and parents in 48 communities in 12 districts/municipals in
3 regions of Greater Accra, Central, and Eastern Ghana.
It improved the awareness, education, and knowledge among the beneficiaries to practice good personal hygiene; regularly attend child welfare clinics for routine immunization against polio and other child diseases; accept of mass polio immunizations, identify early signs of polio, and the need to seek early medical attention for early diagnoses. It emphasized the understanding and the awareness that polio has no cure, but the surest way of prevention is through the polio vaccine.
Situation Problem
There is a polio outbreak in Ghana and there is the risk of further spread of the virus because there are unimmunized children, meaning they are not protected from the poliovirus infection and hence it can easily attack them. Polio can cause life-long paralysis and even death. There is no cure for polio and it can only be prevented through vaccination.
Response Solution
A five-step approach adopted by TfSC included Initial stakeholder engagements, Project baseline survey, community focus group discussions, training of community volunteers and Community interactive theatre (drama) performance It created awareness, education, and knowledge among the beneficiaries to practice good personal hygiene; regular attendance to child welfare clinics for routine immunization against polio and other child diseases; acceptance of mass polio immunizations, identify early signs of polio, and the need to seek early medical attention for early diagnoses; and the awareness that polio has no cure but the surest way of prevention is through the polio vaccine. |
Polio Outbreak Response in Pictures
