Journal article
Islamist insurgency and the war against polio: a cross-national analysis of the political determinants of polio
The study concludes that only particular forms of internal armed conflict – those prosecuted by Islamist insurgents – explain the current global distribution of polio. The variation over time in the relationship between Islamist insurgency and polio suggests that Islamist insurgent’s hostility to polio vaccinations programmes is not the result of their theology, as the core tenets of Islam have not changed over the period of the study. Rather, our analysis indicates that it is a plausibly a reaction to the counterinsurgency strategies used against Islamist insurgents. The assassination of Osama bin Laden and the use of drone strikes seemingly vindicated Islamist insurgents’ suspicions that immunization drives are a cover for espionage activities.
Authors
Languages
- English
Publication year
2015
Journal
Globalization and Health
Volume
40
Type
Journal article
Categories
- Service delivery
Diseases
- Polio
Countries
- Afghanistan
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
WHO Regions
- African Region
- Eastern Mediterranean Region