Barriers to Eradication: Assessing Community Perceptions and Vaccination Practices Against Polio in Bannu, Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan remains one of the last global strongholds for the wild poliovirus (WPV), with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, specifically districts like Bannu, facing persistent challenges to eradication. This study evaluates community perceptions and vaccination practices in Bannu to identify the socio-cultural and structural barriers hindering immunization efforts. Utilizing a quantitative review of existing literature and regional data, the study identifies widespread misconceptions, including the belief that vaccines are a tool for family planning or are religiously impermissible. Results indicate that while general awareness of polio exists, trust in government-sponsored initiatives is low due to security concerns, financial constraints, and a lack of health literacy among local influencers. The research highlights that the intersection of religious restrictions and social traditionalism accounts for a 90% refusal rate in certain high-risk demographics. To achieve a polio-free status, the study recommends socially sensitive training for local journalists, direct community mobilization through trusted religious leaders, and improved management of immunization supply chains to bridge the gap between awareness and vaccine acceptance.