Low public awareness and poor vaccine uptake have been identified as major factors sustaining Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections in Nigeria, with cervical cancer claiming over 22 women daily.
At a monthly media briefing organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Deputy Director of Research, Dr. Chika Onwuamah, said although most HPV infections clear naturally, high-risk strains are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
He explained that HPV comprises over 200 related viruses, with about 90 percent of infections resolving naturally, particularly among women under 30. However, persistent high-risk strains can trigger abnormal cell changes that may develop into cancer, worsened by lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Citing global data, Onwuamah said 604,000 new cervical cancer cases and 342,000 deaths were recorded worldwide in 2020. In Nigeria, 12,100 new cases and 8,000 deaths were reported the same year, highlighting the country’s heavy burden.
According to NIMR findings, only 27 percent of women surveyed were aware of the HPV vaccine, while just six percent had received it. A nationwide survey between 2015 and 2019 recorded a 34 percent HPV infection rate, with 27 percent linked to high-risk strains.
NIMR Deputy Director-General, Dr. Oliver Ezechi, urged parents to vaccinate their daughters, noting that Nigeria has integrated the HPV vaccine into routine immunisation for girls aged nine to 13, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) global elimination strategy.
Researchers called for increased funding, intensified public awareness campaigns, and improved screening uptake to reduce preventable deaths and move Nigeria closer to eliminating cervical cancer.