AFP surveillance; review of Mohmand Agency Fata

ABSTRACT

To determine the status of the AFP surveillance system at Mohmand agency FATA in a sense to improve the sensitivity of the system in 2012. Retrospective study. Mohmand agency FATA. Jan-Dec 2011. The relevant information were recorded from the Rec files of these cases in accordance to the objectives of the study. A total of 25 cases were reported in 2011 in Mohmand agency as AFP cases. Eleven were females [44%] and 14[56%] were males. The age range of these patients were from 6 months to 14 years of age. Mean age with SD was 37.12+33 months. Four cases were confirmed polio type 1 wild type cases. The frequency of cases reported from various tehsils were safi [36%], Pindialy and ekka ghund, Halimzai 16%, Prang ghar and ambar4%, and Khweze/baizai 8%. Fourteen [56% cases] reported as urgent cases. Majority of the cases [28%] were injection neuritis, 20% cases diagnosed as traumatic neuritis, 4% as Guillain barre syndrome, and 8% as meningitis. 16 cases were cross reported from other agencies and the remaining from the agency itself. Ghallani AHQ Hospital, RHC Ekka ghund and Mechany BHU are main diagnostic and referral centers for AFP in the agency. The lab results reported 4 cases with P1 wild type virus. We have at time a bit weak surveillance system for AFP and the agency being a part of FATA and its security volatile situation, all makes it more suitable for the polio virus to circulate. There is low level of awareness and stigma associated with Polio vaccines which is alarming for public health workers. The cross reported cases ration is more which shows bit weak catch up at station level