PREVALENCE OF ACUTE FLACCID PARALYSIS IN POLIO ENDEMIC REGIONS IN PAKISTAN SINCE 2021-2024

Abstract

Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a clinical condition that becomes maximal in severity over a duration of a few days to weeks. It is characterized by rapid onset weakness of lower motor neuron variety, which includes weakness of respiratory and pharyngeal muscles. WHO defines AFP as the sudden development of weakness or paralysis of the limbs in any person aged less than fifteen years old. This definition was made purposely broad so as to cover the cases of poly radiculopathy (Guillain - Barré syndrome), toxic Neuropathy, muscular issues, and flaccid myelitis (disease of the spinal cord) since it was established for the tacking needs under poliomyelitis. The study is focused on acute flaccid paralysis in polio-endemic regions. This is because another similar study by Globalsurveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is also in their effort to eradicate poliomyelitis by the World Health Organization. Methodology: This study was a retrospective, cross sectional study, descriptive study econdary data from NIH-IDSR. Results: The results of this study comprise of a total of 3219 AFP cases from 2021-2024 and 43 cases of Polio from 2021-2024 reported at the database of NIH-IDSR. It concludes that there was high prevalence of AFP in different region of Pakistan from the year 2021 to 2024 as compared to Polio, was seen with very less prevalence. Therefore, we can conclude that Polio and AFP are not very much correlated. The trend in AFP and partial correlation with cases of Poliovirus does depict that though the nation has had tremendous success at hand, huge constraints while attempting to eliminate this ailment by Pakistan are surfacing.