This thesis was conducted to establish the background for a plan to document the elimination of indigenous wild polio in Canada. Three independent studies were conducted to address the adequacy of polio detection in Canada: (a) a critical review of the existing surveillance system for poliomyelitis in Canada; (b) a retrospective chart review of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases presenting in the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Municipality during a 5-year period (1986-1991); and (c) a cross-sectional survey in Ottawa-Carleton of physicians' awareness about the presentation of poliomyelitis, and their investigative practices for AFP in general. The overall conclusions from the chart review and the physician survey are that among physicians in the study region (a) the index of suspicion for paralytic poliomyelitis is very low, and (b) overall knowledge about the presentation of polio, appropriate diagnostic tests, and requirements for notification are poor, or else not adequately applied. On the basis of the above findings, the conclusion is that Canada does not currently meet the PAHO requirements for certification of a polio-free status. In addition, there is insufficient evidence from the data obtained for the supposition of wild polio elimination in Canada. Recommendations are presented for improving polio surveillance and for establishing protocols for investigation and control of polio. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/6636 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Bentsi-Enchill, Adwoa. |
| Contributors | Duclos, Philippe, |
| Publisher | University of Ottawa (Canada) |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 194 p. |
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