Authors
Amjad Ullah, Asad Jamal, Muhammad Khan, Ubaid Ullah Mian, Siraj Ud Din, Muskan Hotak, Hamid Naeem
Published in
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit. Volume 32. Issue 8. Pages 528-534. Sep 03, 2026. Epub Sep 03, 2026.
Abstract
Despite global vaccination efforts, Pakistan remains one of the last 2 countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic.
To assess the change in parental knowledge and perceptions about polio vaccination after COVID-19 pandemic.
From January to April 2025 we interviewed 308 parents, who were permanent residents for ≥2 months, with at least one child aged 0-5 years and willing to provide informed consent, in 4 administrative subdivisions of North Waziristan District, Pakistan. We analysed the data using SPSS version 22 and used McNemar's test to assess changes in perceptions.
Average short answer knowledge score increased from 6.2 ± 2.3 pre-COVID-19 to 8.3 ± 2.1 post-COVID-19, resulting in overall significantly better knowledge of polio vaccination (P < 0.0001). Good knowledge (mean score ≥ 9) increased from 36.3% to 58.7%, knowledge of the viral etiology increased from 50.0% to 71.4%, and misconceptions decreased from 64.9% to 35.1%. Recommendations by health care providers (85%), social media campaigns (76%) and advocacy by religious leaders (55%) contributed to the improvement in knowledge.
Parental knowledge increased, with more positive attitude towards polio vaccination, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on this, further improvements can be achieved through strategic community engagement with health workers, religious leaders and social media, towards overcoming vaccine hesitancy and achieving polio eradication.
PMID:
42734198
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Sep 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 6
- Comments 0