Actually, this highly contagious virus does not discriminate against poor children, but the poorest children in Somalia are more likely to be vaccinated against measles. Why? The measles vaccine is provided in all mother-child health facilities in Somalia every day free of charge. However, parents who can afford medical care shun free vaccinations because they are rumored to cause HIV/AIDS and interfere with a child's ability to reproduce. This is an instance where cultural beliefs eclipse resources that would protect individuals from disease.
Lul Mahamud Mohamed, the head of Pediatrics in Mogadishu said it is up to religious leaders to debunk rumors about the vaccines.
What obstacles do you think health authorities will face in trying to get religious leaders on their side? How would you approach negating wide spread rumors about the vaccines?
I think that this type of issue is very difficult to face, and I can see blame being passed around among entities very easily. Political leaders will push the pressure onto religious leaders, and religious leaders will say that the political leaders should do something in the way of a mandate. However, the real issue lies in the fact that this thought has been so popular through many historical generations, and so it may seem to be irreversible. However, what if the free vaccines were offered at a very minimal price, so that the people that live by the rumor of contamination of the free vaccines with be mentally assuaged that they will not be contaminated, but still be able to pay for a receive the vaccine? I know that solutions are much easier devised than carried out, but I really hope that there is a bright future for this issue.
ReplyDeleteThis issue is really complicated and a really good example of cultural barriers. I think that because this false belief is spread across many generations, only time will allow for an acceptance of the vaccines. The more one hears about a rumor, the more one believes that rumor. Therefore the parents, being continually exposed to this idea of HIV in the free vaccines, are more difficult to persuade into giving them to their children. I don't know what it would be like trying to get religious leaders on board for the promotion of these vaccines. However, I think that by negating the rumors to those in power and those turned to in times of need (like priests)would give the vaccines a better chance at use. I think that outside doctors, or Health administrators attempting to convince the population is a lot less effective than if trusted individuals, like locals, were advocating for the vaccines. Again, only time well-used for the advocacy of these vaccines will be able to eliminate the rumors. Hopefully, teaching younger generations about the benefits of the vaccines will cause them to hold different beliefs than their parents for when they start having children of their own.
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