An impact evaluation of the engagement of traditional and religious leaders in the Nigerian polio eradication initiative

Between 2009 and 2011, the nation recorded progress in terms of reducing the number of endemic polio viruses in the country and also improvement in the routine immunization service delivery. This progress was attributed to the engagement of traditional and religious leaders, although, no proper evidence based on field research was relied on for this conclusion. The objectives of this study were to collect data on key variables of performance by the traditional and religious leaders in the polio high risk states. For the quantitative tool, a total of 549 out of a projected 600 caregivers were interviewed by trained enumerators during the duration of the exercise in all the five states combined. A total of 14 Local Government Area teams conducted the survey in a 50% sample of the 10 high-risk states. Two sets of data tools(quantitative and qualitative) were developed and pilot-tested in the field before proceeding for actual field work after the data collectors were trained for two days followed by a one day practice as a pilot. Numerically, 89 out of 446(20%) said community heads and heads of religious groups prompted children to be vaccinated in comparison to 161 selections for husband or heads of households. Such prompting was based on persuasion and not coercion (75%). Almost 90% of the respondents believed that traditional leaders were important, definitely important or extremely important in the country’s immunization services. This was slightly more than the 80% who believed that religious leaders were slightly important, definitely important or extremely important in the country’s immunization services. 87% of the respondents therefore, suggested greater involvement of the traditional leaders in vaccination activities. Participants in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were mostly of the view that the traditional and religious leaders were a major source of information in addition to radio and health workers and suggested greater involvement of the leaders in vaccination activities as they were performing optimally. The traditional and religious leaders are key stakeholders for vaccination under the Nigerian Communications Engagement model (NiCE). This study has shown a high level of information dissemination from mosques and churches on a fairly consistent basis. The role of these leaders as mobilizers, sensitizers and creators of awareness are consistent with the results of the study and relates to the specific objectives.