RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Front line workers in pastoralist and semi pastoralist areas are expected to play a vital role in detecting cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis. OBJECTIVE: Assess knowledge and practice of Heath Extension Workers (HEWs) and Community Volunteer Surveillance Focal Persons (CVSFPs) on AFP case detection and reporting. METHODS: A cross sectional survey involving 70 Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and 71 Community Volunteer Surveillance Focal Persons (CVSFPs) was conducted in 9 districts in Core Group Polio Project Implementation areas of Ethiopia from March 1-April 30, 2013. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Thirty four HEWs (48.6%) searched for AFP cases by going from house to house, while 27 (38.6%) did not perform any function specific to AFP surveillance. Twenty (28.2%) and 7 (9.9%) of CVSFPs respectively, indicated using a case definition of AFP which included paralysis and acute paralysis. Nine (12.7%) of the CVSPF provided responses that did not include paralysis while 22 CVSFPs (31.0%) did not know the case definition of AFP. Three HEWs and 9 CVSFPs claimed to have detected and reported AFP cases. Thirty-eight (53.5%) CVSFPs had received training on community-based surveillance while 33 (46.5%) had none. Thirty nine (54.9%) of the CVSFPs reported having received supervision during the last six months, 22 (31.0%) of whom reported having received feedback. CONCLUSION: Inadequate pertinent knowledge on AFP and inadequate training and supervision appear to be obstacles for effective AFP detection by front line health workers in the study communities.
