Presentation

More Than a Shave at a Time: A Pilot Initiative to Improve Male Participation in Routine Immunization through Local Barbers in Uttar Pradesh, India

Project Concern Internaonal/India (PCI) has been implemenng the CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) in 24 blocks in 5 districts in Uar Pradesh since 1999. Over me this polio eradicaon program has included the strengthening of roune immunizaon (RI) system as a core part of contribung to the efforts of maintaining India polio free. Currently, PCI led CGPP caters to around 250 High Risk Areas covering more than 270,000 households through a group of 550 dedicated female Community Mobilizaon Coordinators (CMCs). The program uses mulpronged strategies to mobilize community for RI including interpersonal and group communicaons, mass and mid media campaigns. At present more than 77% children in the program areas are fully immunized – a rate higher than the state average. However, taking the current level to near universal coverage requires concerted efforts and more so much larger involvement of men from the community.