Lessons Learned from the CORE Group Polio Project and Their Relevance for Other Global Health Priorities

Perry, Henry B.; Solomon, Roma; Bisrat, Filimona; Hilmi, Lisa; Stamidis, Katherine V.; Steinglass, Robert; Weiss, William; Losey, Lee; Ogden, Ellyn

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.19-0036

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The lessons learned and the strategies used by VCMs should serve a resource for future programming to address broader health goals. 28,29 This article, along with others documenting the contributions of CGPP-supported VCMs in Nigeria, 24,25 shows that involving respected, trusted local women in health implementation can be highly effective, particularly when they are supported by other community influencers such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, women leaders, and other opinion leaders. Providing referrals and information to address pressing needs of families outside of polio helped increase uptake and acceptance of the program and created trust.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Contributions of Volunteer Community Mobilizers to Polio Eradication in Nigeria: The Experiences of Non-governmental and Civil Society Organizations

Duru

Usman²,

Adeosun³

et al. 2019

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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The Northern states were the epicenter of the wild poliovirus outbreak in Nigeria in 2016. To raise immunization coverage, particularly of polio, the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in Nigeria introduced the use of nongovernmental organizations and volunteer community mobilizers (VCMs) through the CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP). The CGPP has been contributing to Nigeria's polio eradication efforts since 2013. This article explores the contributions of the 2,130 VCMs deployed in 31 participating local government areas in the five implementing CGPP states from 2014 to 2017 to increase awareness, understanding, and acceptance of polio immunization. Data for the study were collected from primary and secondary sources using five collection methods: a survey of VCM supervisors, focus group discussions with VCMs and their supervisors, key in-depth interviews with community stakeholders, case studies of specific best practices of VCMs, and a review of documents and records. A review of the data shows that the VCMs received comprehensive training on the importance of the PEI, routine immunization, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, social mobilization and community engagement, use of behavior change communication tools, and interpersonal communication skills. According to the data collected, the VCMs used the following innovative strategies to ensure high vaccination coverage: house-to-house mobilization, community dialogues, compound meetings, community health camps, and tracking of non-compliant families, missed children, and dropouts. The involvement of VCMs in Nigeria's PEI efforts has been a pivotal contribution to reductions in the number of households rejecting polio immunization, the proportion of families with missed children, the proportion of families that were non-compliant, and the number of polio cases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Contributions of Volunteer Community Mobilizers to Polio Eradication in Nigeria: The Experiences of Non-governmental and Civil Society Organizations

Duru

Usman²,

Adeosun³

et al. 2019

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…There is value in using a similar approach to that used by CGPP and its CMs for responding to COVID-19, as well as other global public health priorities. 27 Responses to COVID-19 should engage the community through its community mobilizers for nuanced and repeated messaging and discussion to improve the knowledge and attitudes of different community groups about the virus and to keep their trust. The CM's role can add value to government efforts on disease prevention, testing, contract tracing, home visiting, and community support.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Critical Role and Evaluation of Community Mobilizers in Polio Eradication in Remote Settings in Africa and Asia

Lewis

LeBan²,

Solomon³

et al. 2020

Glob Health Sci Pract

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“…In the context of the CGPP model of community engagement, communities that are most marginalized and vulnerable are also critical partners with trusted networks and influential leaders to understand, define, and achieve shared goals to empower families with control over their health and well-being. 18 The project operates at the grassroots to mobilize high-risk populations to encourage community uptake of risk mitigation and behavior change recommendations. The CGPP has long recognized the importance of community-centric measures shaped by local and national NGOs that regularly partner with communities, enabling insights and perceptions, and countering negative associations often amplified by social norms while recognizing wider socioeconomic needs.…”

Section: Recommendations To Address Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Communities Should Be the Focus to Reduce Stigma Attached to COVID-19

Bologna¹,

Stamidis²,

Paige

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Since 1999, the CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) has developed, refined, and deployed effective strategies to mobilize communities to improve vaccine uptake for polio (and other vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles) and conduct surveillance for infectious disease threats in high-risk, border, and hard-to-reach locations. CORE Group Polio Project teams have been called upon to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and, like with polio, the pandemic response is impacted by stigma in all areas of response, from health education, testing, contact tracing, and even treatment for infected individuals. The CGPP has reached back into its polio experience and is redeploying successful community engagement activities to address stigma as part of the COVID-19 response. Across country programs, community health volunteers communicate risk and behavior change at the household level by integrating health education and promotion activities with a focus on practical measures of COVID-19 prevention. Moreover, leveraging established and trusted partnerships with community networks and community leaders are providing lessons that can be adopted by the global community. The CGPP offers three overarching recommendations to curb stigma: 1) facilitating inclusive community engagement, 2) leveraging existing community networks and 3) cocreating with community leaders.

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Lessons Learned from the CORE Group Polio Project and Their Relevance for Other Global Health Priorities

Cited by 14 publications

References 30 publications

Contributions of Volunteer Community Mobilizers to Polio Eradication in Nigeria: The Experiences of Non-governmental and Civil Society Organizations

Contributions of Volunteer Community Mobilizers to Polio Eradication in Nigeria: The Experiences of Non-governmental and Civil Society Organizations

The Critical Role and Evaluation of Community Mobilizers in Polio Eradication in Remote Settings in Africa and Asia

Why Communities Should Be the Focus to Reduce Stigma Attached to COVID-19

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