BACKGROUND: Accumulation of susceptible @entity1 whose caregivers refuse to accept oral @entity9925 vaccine (OPV) contributes to the spread of @entity9925 in Nigeria. METHODS: During and immediately following the OPV campaign in October 2012, polio eradication partners conducted a study among households in which the vaccine was refused, using semistructured questionnaires. The selected study districts had a history of persistent OPV refusals in previous campaigns. RESULTS: Polio risk perception was low among study @entity1 . The majority (59%) of @entity1 believed that vaccination was either not necessary or would not be helpful, and 30% thought it might be harmful. Religious beliefs were an important driver in the way @entity1 understood disease. Fifty-two percent of 48 respondents reported that illnesses were due to God's will and/or destiny and that only God could protect them against illnesses. Only a minority (14%) of respondents indicated that polio was a significant problem in their community. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers refuse OPV largely because of poor polio risk perception and religious beliefs. Communication strategies should, therefore, aim to increase awareness of polio as a real health threat and educate communities about the safety of the vaccine. In addition, polio eradication partners should collaborate with other agencies and ministries to improve total primary healthcare packages to address identified unmet health and social needs.

An assessment of the reasons for oral XXXX vaccine refusals in northern Nigeria.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['people', 'children', 'participants'] @entity9925 :: ('138950', 'Species') :: ['poliovirus']
@entity9925 :: (138950,Species) :: ['poliovirus']
