Knowledge and perception about polio vaccination approval among religious leaders

Objective: To examine the knowledge and perception among religious leaders regarding polio vaccine approval

---

Methodology: A cross sectional population study was conducted in three districts [Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan]. Sample of size of 120 religious leaders [RLs] was taken by using convenient sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out

---

Results: Every 9 out of 10 participants heard about the polio vaccination whereas every 2 out of 10 tend to disapprove it. Several reasons for disapproval were reported, majority [32.26%] of the participants believed that polio vaccine reduces the sexual power and affect the sperm [sterilize] as children grown up this was followed up by the vaccine consist of forbidden [Haram] ingredients [29.03%], its Jews lobby to destroy the muslim generation [22.58%] and it's a plan to reduce the muslim population [16.13%]

---

Conclusion: Although higher proportion of religious leaders approves the polio vaccination but at the same time misconception exists