The Knowledge and behavior about polio eradication program of the women who are living in Ankara Abidinpaşa Health Distric Tuzluçayır Health Center area and have children under age of five

-84- YABANCI DİLDE ÖZET (SUMMARY) In this survey, defining some of the knowledge and behavior of the women living in Ankara Abidinpaşa HealthGroup Department, Tuzluçayır Health Center region in respect of National Vaccination Days polio vaccination activities being conducted within the framework of Polio Eradication Program has been aimed. Mothers living in Tuzluçayır Health Center region, who have children under age of five constitute the universe of this definitive activity. Sampling magnitude being 125 women who have children under age of five. Houses to be includet in the sampling group have been selected by cluster sampling process. In conclusion of one by one visits to the families living in the regions where sampling has been obtained, 182 mothers who have children under age of five have been subjected to a questionnaire. It has been found that 91.8% of the women have vaccinated their children in the National Vaccination Days of 1999. The incompetence of the individuals in respect of vaccine and insufficiency of information have been effective in not having the children vaccinated (52.8%). The knowledge of individuals in respect of Polio Eraducation Program are not at the required level. Those who have got good points (70>) are 76.4%. Those who have got average level points (41-69) are 17.6%. The Total knowledge point average of individuals is 77.9 ± 19.2. A great majorty of the mothers (89.0%) belive in the benefit of vaccination being implemented in accordance with routine polio vaccination calender. However, they do not agree at the same level regarding the benefit of polio vaccnation in National Vaccination Days implementation being conducted within the scope of Polio Eraducation Program (76.9%). Health personnel are not considered to have sufficient knowledge on National Vaccination Days. The rate of those who have reported that they have obtained a great deal of information from the health personnel pertaining to National Vaccination Days being conducted within the scope of Polio Eraducation Program is merely 14.3%. The effect of teaching in terms of knowledge-85- source regarding enlightenment on National Vaccination Days has been found to be considerably low (1.6%). It is a must that information be provided on the subject in order to have the participation of the people to the service in such activities. Key Words: Poliomyelitis, OPV, Polio Eradication Program, National Vaccination Day, Health Promotion.