An Assessment of the Effect of Promotional Strategy for National Programme on Immunization (NPI ) and Oral Rehydration Therapy(ORT) in Nigeria

Abstract

The National Programme on Immunization (NPI) and Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) was launched in 1978 in Nigeria. NPI aimed to immunize 80% of all children age 0-24 months before 1990 and to vaccinate 80% of all pregnant women against tetanus, while ORT aimed to teach at least 50% of parents with children age 0-5 years to prevent death from diarrhoea. In 1990 a national survey wa conducted, which revealed varied achievement levels of NPI and ORT by state. To assess the effect of the promotional strategy, after a pilot survey and a thorough evaluation of the promotional strategy two areas from state capital in additon to two local government areas were selected for a statistical study. The study revealed that most people in Nigeria were found to be aware of the NPI/ORT programmes and some were even convinced of the value of the programme, yet were not ready to voluntarily paricipate in them. Health workers should be more intensively and extensively used to promote and sustain the programme, while the Government should intensify mass literacy campaign.