Polio-Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies among Children in Jos, Nigeria.

Background: Concerns on the safety of polio vaccine in some parts of northern Nigeria that led to the suspension of the immunization efforts in those parts of the country, informed our design of this prospective study. Objective: To determine polio-specific Immunoglobulin G antibodies among children (seven months - seven years) in Jos. Methods: Within the months of March and April 2007, One hundred and eighty two blood samples were collected from children in the Emergency Peadiatric Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital and tested for the presence of polio-specific IgG antibodies using Poliomyelitis IgG ELISA Test Kit produced and described by DEMEDITEC Diagnostic GmbH Germany. Results: One hundred and seventy eight percent (97.8%) of the tested children had detectable antibodies against poliovirus. The study population had appreciable levels of protection against poliovirus. There was no significant association between the detection of the IgG in children in relation to gender, age, religion, and number of doses. Only educational status of fathers had statistically significant relationship with the detection of the antibodies. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that progress has been made towards the eradication of poliomyelitis in Nigeria. To further strengthen the gains made and weaken the barriers to immunization, there is an increasing need for more funding to increase awareness and intensify the final efforts targeted at ‘kicking polio’ out of Nigeria.