“Assessment of Knowledge Regarding Poliomyelitis Immunization among Pregnant Women in Sitamarhi District”

Abstract

Poliomyelitis is a viral illness that mostly affects babies and young children. About half of all cases (about 50%) happen in babies. Different risk factors can cause paralytic poliomyelitis in people who are already infected with the poliovirus. A field survey conducted among rural pregnant women (N=400) further underscored deficiencies in awareness. Almost seven out of ten people who answered (69.5%) didn't know much about polio, and one-fourth (25%) only had a fair level of understanding. In this study, 47.5% of respondents reported stiffness and pain in the neck and back muscles, which are recognized prodromal symptoms of the disease. Paralytic polio, although uncommon, occurs in under 1% of infections when the virus penetrates the central nervous system, leading to varying levels of paralysis. In terms of its effect on the nervous system, 43.5% of respondents strongly agreed that polio harms the nerves, and 49% said that it could cause mild paralysis.
These results highlight the pressing necessity for focused health education initiatives to enhance awareness of poliomyelitis and its prevention within at-risk populations.