Editor’s Note: The UNICEF Report referenced below did not appear to be posted on the UNICEF website (accessed 9 June 2012 20:35 EDT -UTC/GMT -4). This is an extract selected by the Editor.

The Express Tribune with the International Herald Tribune
By Sehrish Wasif
Published: June 5, 2012

UNICEF report: 45% of Pakistanis unaware of polio vaccination

ISLAMABAD:
More than 45% of Pakistan’s total population is not aware that polio can be prevented through vaccination, a United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) report revealed.

According to the report entitled ‘Pakistan Polio Communications Review’, which was made available with The Express Tribune, only a very small number of parents are aware of the risk that their child may contract polio.

Unicef conducted research in 29 high-risk districts to evaluate key challenges in communications and social mobilisation in order to come up with improved strategies to create awareness about the disease.

The report revealed that 97% of respondents had heard the term ‘polio’; 87% categorised polio as a disease and only 55% were aware of vaccination as a way of preventing the disease.

Only one parent out of three realises their child is at risk of contracting polio this year. According to the report, susceptibility to the virus is highest in Balochistan, where 59% of respondents noted their concern….

http://tribune.com.pk/story/388900/unicef-report-45-of-pakistanis-unaware-of-polio-vaccination/