Using Lot Quality Assessment Survey (LQAS) to Evaluate the Quality of Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) Campaigns Across Implementing States in Nigeria

Abstract

This abstract introduces the findings from the application Lot Quality Assessment Survey (LQAS) conducted to evaluate the quality of five (5) different Polio Outbreak Response campaigns conducted across Nigerian states in the year 2024. During the period under review, five (5) rounds of LQAS were conductedafter the implementation of Outbreak Response (OBR) campaigns in March, April, September, October, and November 2024, where 1,262 Local Government Areas (LGAs), also referred to as LOTS, were surveyed. Among these figures, 132 LGAs (Lots), which represent 10.4% of the LGAs (Lots), did not meet the established quality benchmarks, highlighting the actual areas that require urgent intervention. The LQAS methodology has helped program managers identify the specific LGAs (Lots) that need revaccination activities, thereby optimizing resource allocation and campaign effectiveness across the board. The analysis conducted on the LQAS data has helped in identifying the main reasons why missed vaccinations take place, and these have resulted in 41.80% child absence, household not visited by the vaccination teams at 30.73%, non-compliance cases at 25.62%, security concerns at 1.34% and children not yet born stand at 1,09%. The insight provided by the LQAS data informed targeted strategies to address gaps in the Polio Immunization coverage. Overall, the findings from the LQAS proved to be a valuable monitoring tool that helped in supporting data-driven decision making and enhancing the overall quality and impact of Polio OBR campaigns in the effort to achieve cVPV2 virus eradication goals in Nigeria.