Attitude and perception towards vaccination against poliomyelitis in Peshawar, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to quantitatively assess the general public's awareness, attitude and perception of polio and its vaccination in Peshawar KPK, Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted a survey-based study to understand the surge in polio cases from 2015 to 2019 in the Peshawar city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A pre-tested questionnaire-based study was conducted in 2019 to assess the attitude and general perception of residents of Peshawar KPK towards polio vaccination. RESULTS: Out of 241 country-wide polio cases, 63 (26.1%) polio cases were reported in Peshawar city from 2015–2019. The questionnaire revealed that individuals between 18–30 years of age had sufficient knowledge (65.1%) about polio. Male and female participants had equal awareness (~ 43%). Participants with higher education (45.9%), those with better financial status (49.5%), individuals with children < 5 years of age (46.4%), and those who had experience of a polio patient (63.1%) had better knowledge. Participants inhabiting the central city were better aware (50.5%) of polio than individuals living in the outskirts. CONCLUSION: The data indicated that poor knowledge and negative attitudes of people towards polio vaccination are the main causes of the polio eradication program's failure. Moreover, religious beliefs, unchecked migration between the Pak-Afghan border, and lack of knowledge about polio vaccination are identified as critical barriers to polio eradication

Delayed effect of funding rates in solicited HE applications.

[A] Chart showing changes in zing rates in solicited HE applications up to one year after publication of the guidance and starting one year after publication of the guidance. [B] Table summarizing the coefficients from the time series analysis.</p

Analysis of competing awards that were solicited for HE and NIH (excluding HE) research from FY2010 to FY2020.

Award counts were divided by the total number of awards for HE and non-HE research for each Fiscal Year. (TIF)</p

Delayed effect in unsolicited HE applications.

[A] Chart showing changes in funding rates in unsolicited HE applications up to one year after publication of the guidance and starting one year after publication of the guidance. [B] Table summarizing the coefficients from the time series analysis. (TIF)</p

Analysis of competing applications that were solicited for HE and non-HE research from FY2010 to FY2020.

Application counts were divided by the total number of applications for HE and non-HE research for each Fiscal Year. (TIF)</p

Funding rates in solicited HE applications.

[A] Chart showing changes in funding rates in solicited HE applications prior to and following publication of the guidance in 2015. [B] Table summarizing the coefficients from the time series analysis.</p

HE and non-HE applications and awards by activity code from FY2010- FY 2020.

Competing applications and awards for HE and non-HE research were determined for FY2010- FY2020 and then broken out by activity code. [A] HE applications from FY2010- FY2020. [B] Non-HE applications from FY2010- FY2020. [C] HE awards from FY2010- FY2020. [D] Non-HE awards from FY2010- FY2020.</p

Delayed effect of funding rates in HE applications.

[A] Chart showing changes in funding rates in HE applications up to one year after publication of the guidance and starting one year after publication of the guidance. [B] Table summarizing the coefficients from the time series analysis.</p

Delayed effect of application rates in unsolicited HE applications.

[A] Chart showing changes in application rates in unsolicited HE applications up to one year after publication of the guidance and starting one year after publication of the guidance. [B] Table summarizing the coefficients from the time series analysis.</p