Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103329

Donna Hicks Myers, MSN, MA, CNP, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904, 216-221-0086, donna.myers@case.edu

The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and to discuss in detail the author's work in Ethiopia as part of a Stop the Transmission of Polio (STOP) Team. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative was established in 1988 by the World Health Assembly. In an effort to supplement human resources in the field, since 1998, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been sending highly qualified professionals from around the world on short-term field assignments to assist with polio eradication efforts. The author spent three months in Ethiopia as a member of STOP Team 12. Ethiopia has not had a case of endemic polio since January, 2001. Volunteers work with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization team of surveillance officers to increase and supplement surveillance activities and training of health workers in hard to reach areas. In addition, the Expanded Program of Immunization and the cold chain are assessed as STOP team members travel to health stations and health posts throughout the country. Ethiopia has made significant strides in eradicating polio from their country. They have not had a case of wild poliovirus transmission in over 3 years. However, they face a number of challenges as they strive to achieve certification standards. Geographic, cultural, political and economic ideologies are all impacting the final push efforts to be certified polio-free. Globally, as polio incidence declines, commitment and attention to other health-related problems increases, diluting the finances and energy available for the polio eradication program. Audiences interested in vaccine preventable disease eradication strategies as well as individuals interested in immunizations, international collaboration, and volunteering with the STOP Program will find this discussion both useful and informative.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to

• discuss the global polio eradication initiative; 2)summarize Ethiopia's achievements and challenges in polio eradication; 3)identify the current status of global polio eradication.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, International Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.