Incidences and Promoting Factors for Recurrence of Poliomyelitis-A Case Study of Rampur District

Poliomyelitis is a crippling disease which affects mainly children 0–5 years of age causing permanent paralysis of limbs. It is caused by RNA virus which is of 3 types P1, P2, and P3 and spreads through Feaco-oral route.

Rampur is located in western part of Uttar Pradesh, and has a humid and warm climate, it is densely populated and the socio-economic condition of the people is generally poor. A total of 143 confirmed diagnosed cases of poliomyelitis during 2000–2009, by WHO were selected for the present study. The family members and the infected children were interviewed and data about their living conditions were collected and analyzed.

The study found that the disease was more prevalent in males and particularly muslims of low socio economic strata. Of the total 80% of the cases occurred in rainy season (June-September). Large number of cases above 50% occurred in the families of laborers and farmers and the maximum number of polio cases were recorded from the poor families of low income groups in rural areas. Their standard of living is poor and they do not have access to safe drinking water supply and children go to open field for defecation. A large percentage of the children are malnourished.