Community-based evaluation survey of immunizations in Burkina Faso.

ABSTRACT

PIP: A cluster sample survey was conducted in January 1989 in 3 provinces of Burkina Faso to evaluate an immunization program (based on 2 contacts, providing inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine plus DPT) that had been launched in 1982-84. The objectives were to estimate neonatal tetanus (NNT) mortality and poliomyelitis prevalence in the study area. The target population (using the same sample of households) comprised 2107 live infants born during the preceding year for the NNT survey, and 17,154 children aged 0-9 years for the poliomyelitis survey. The NNT mortality rate was 3.3/1000 live births, and the poliomyelitis prevalence rate was 2.8/1000 children aged 5-9 years. Dates of onset of poliomyelitis case among children aged 0-9 years and the number of children at risk during the 10-year recall period, reconstituted with demographic indicators taken from standardized life tables, were used to calculate the incidence rates of poliomyelitis. These rates could be compared in the 5-year period preceding the survey, and showed a decreasing trend consistent with routine surveillance data. (author's)