Effect of Community-Based Social Mobilization on Awareness, Acceptability, and Utilization of Polio Vaccines Among Households in Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

This study assessed the effect of community-based social mobilization on awareness, acceptability, and utilization of polio vaccines among households in Batagarawa Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina State, Nigeria. Despite Nigeria's 2020 certification as wild poliovirus-free, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) remains a concern, especially in northern regions where vaccine hesitancy persists due to cultural, religious, and logistical barriers. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was adopted involving 400 households having children under five years of age. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests. Results revealed significant improvements post-intervention: awareness increased from 45.2% to 89.7%, acceptability from 52.1% to 90.5%, and utilization from 58.3% to 94.2% (p < 0.001 for all). The intervention also reduced disparities across socio-demographic groups. These findings underscore the effectiveness of culturally tailored social mobilization in enhancing polio vaccine uptake in underserved communities. The study supports integration of such approaches into routine immunization programs to address vaccine hesitancy and improve equity in health service delivery. Recommendations include institutionalizing community mobilization, expanding media outreach, and conducting further research with control groups to validate long-term impacts.