Rumors still affecting polio eradication campaigns
04:23, 27 February 2009
.. Posted in Development, Relief and Advocacy Efforts.. Link
For a few years now, I have been tracking examples of Folklore, Rumors (or Rumours) and Urban Myths Interfering with Development and Aid/Relief Efforts and how these are overcome. Many of the examples I've found have to do with polio eradication campaigns.
Nigeria is still fighting myths about the polio vaccine in its struggle to convince people to immunize their children, as illustrated in this VOANews.com story this month. But there are also some success stories in this battle in Nigeria, as illustrated in this February story from IPS and this February story at All Africa.
A great recent example of an effort to counter rumors about polio is this recent article about Muslims clerics using a religious procession to educate people about the local polio eradication campaign in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
See more examples of Folklore, Rumors (or Rumours) and Urban Myths Interfering with Development and Aid/Relief Efforts and some suggestions on how these are overcome. Additional examples welcomed (references to a web site, article, publication or presentation are particularly helpful).
