Professional Development of a Health Communication Strategy for Polio Eradication in Borno State

Despite Nigeria's polio-free certification in 2020, outbreak response and sustained high vaccination coverage require continuous health communication investment, particularly in the conflict-affected populations of Borno State where vaccine hesitancy and logistical barriers persist. This study developed a health communication strategy for sustained polio vaccination acceptance in Borno State, North East Nigeria. A strategy development methodology was employed, drawing on a formative communication research phase and expert consultation. Formative research included community focus group discussions with 42 parents in Maiduguri Metropolitan, Dikwa, and Gwoza LGAs, assessing vaccination beliefs, hesitancy drivers, trusted communication sources, and media access. Interviews were conducted with 15 polio programme communication officers and State Emergency Routine Immunisation Coordination Officers. Thematic analysis of formative data identified four primary hesitancy drivers: concerns about vaccine safety and halal status (62.4 percent), fatigue from repeated immunisation campaigns (48.6 percent), distrust of government health workers (41.9 percent), and exclusion of settled and displaced community leaders from programme communication. The strategy developed addresses each driver through eight communication interventions including Islamic scholar endorsement integration, community-led demand generation, simplified interpersonal communication training for volunteers, and WhatsApp-based community leader engagement. Expert review by ten polio communication specialists confirmed the strategy's practical feasibility for Borno State. Recommendations include piloting in two high-risk LGAs before statewide rollout.

Keywords: polio eradication, health communication, vaccine hesitancy, Borno State, North East Nigeria