Polio States:

The COMPASS Polio Program works in eight states in northern Nigeria where the wild polio virus still circulates in high numbers (Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Kaduna), as well as three other states (Lagos, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory [FCT]) where COMPASS implements other health and education interventions.

As of February 16th, 2007, 1,116 wild polio virus cases had been confirmed in 18 states and in FCT. In 2006, 84% of all confirmed wild polio viruses in Nigeria were in 6 states (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Bauchi and Zamfara).  Due to high polio transmission rates recorded in the north, the northwest states in COMPASS' Polio Program (Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara) and Bauchi consistently remain high-risk.  Coverage in this region has been difficult due to many reasons including the lack of accurate population statistics. 

However, since September 2005, COMPASS has contributed to eradicating polio through training state and local groups on how to address gaps in immunization coverage; providing technical advice and monitoring to the National Program on Immunization, state and local government authorities and communities; and spearheading active community dialogues, including peer-to-peer communication through a COMPASS partner organization, the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and other volunteers.  The Project targets approximately 5 million children in the eleven focal states.

Achievements:

1. 3,000 pictorial flip charts for trainers and 18 training CDs produced and distributed in 8 COMPASS States
2. 700 copies of training guidelines, 18 training CDs, and 500 training guidelines for core trainers produced and distributed to 206 Local Government Areas
3. 656 traditional birth attendants recruited and deployed as vaccinators in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kano States
4. Children immunized during National and Sub-national Immunization Day and Immunization Plus Days, in collaboration with the National Program on Immunization and partners:
• November 2005: 3.9 million children
• February 2006: 6.7 million children
• March 2006: 3.9 million children
• May 2006: 2.9 million children
• June 2006: 4.2 million children
• September 2006: 4.5 million children
5. 597 volunteers trained on community mobilization skills in Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States to support the Immunization Plus Days strategy
6. 72 COMPASS Polio Eradication Consultants and 17 COMPASS Polio Eradication Officers trained on administering the Oral Polio Vaccine
7. An average of 83% of cases of children who had not received the polio vaccine resolved in COMPASS-supported states
8. 169,778 houses were visited by the COMPASS Nigerian partners to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated
9. 3,036 Islamiyya schools were visited by the Nigerian partners, who met with 6,040 Islamiyya teachers
10. 5,226 community dialogues held in all COMPASS-supported states
11. 3,487 community mobilizers and 1,750 COMPASS Nigerian Partner members and Community-based Organizations/Non-governmental Organizations undertook community-based activities in the 8 northern states