LSPHCB/UNICEF partner media on HPV Sensitization and uptake for girls

Report by the World Health Organization, WHO, indicates that, over 60,000 new cases with 342,000 deaths occurred globally in 2020 with estimated number of 12,075 cases and 7,968 deaths recorded in Nigeria.

It is on record that, there are over 100 types of HPV , and two human Papillomavirus types of which 16 and 18 accounts for about 70 per cent of all cervical cancer cases.

Explaining the reasons for the high cases of cervical cancer, the United Nation’s Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Health Specialist, Dr Ijeoma Agbo said, that HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and caused more than 95 per cent of cases of the disease.

Dr Agbo who made this known at a two-day media dialogue on HPV vaccine on Tuesday in Lagos, noted that, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria, attributed the high burden of cervical cancer to a lot of factors, including, poor access to HPV vaccination services, poor screening and treatment as well as low awareness among others.

” HPV Vaccine is effective in preventing persistent infection with high-risk types, which are the primary causes of cervical cancer ” assuring members of the public that, the vaccine is safe, effective, and free” stressing the need for everyone to come together to sensitize Nigerians on its importance “.

On the objective of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria, Agbo said that, ” the reason is to reduce mortality and mobility of cervical cancer by providing HPV vaccine to girls between ages 9 and 14 who are the target audience and can be found in schools, worship centers, special population places and groups, and for those who are not within the catchment area, special arrangements should be made to accommodate them “. She said

On it’s part, the Lagos State Government promised to vaccinate over 80 per cent of girls between the ages of 9 and 14 immunized with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine before December 2024.

The Immunization Coordinator of the State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Dr Akinpelu Adetola, made the promise on Tuesday at a two-day media dialogue on HPV vaccine organized by LSPHCB, in partnership with UNICEF said, that a special team had been put in place to target out-of-school girls and those in the orphanage, as part of efforts to reduce their chances of having cervical cancer.

According to him, the idea is to ensure that no young girl is left behind from being protected from cervical cancer, by getting them vaccinated before they become sexually active.

“By December 2024, it will be fully routinized into the system, and it’s a one-off vaccine for girls between ages 9 and 14, which is available at every government healthcare facility across the state for free,” Ademola

Giving guidelines on his expectations, the Programme Manager, UNICEF, Mr. Muhammad Okorie, pointed out that the media dialogue was meant to reawaken the media to sensitize the public about the benefits of global interventions in the prevention of HPV through vaccination.

Okorie said it was also an opportunity to reach more people through the media and change the minds of the people on any negative feelings, myths and misconceptions about the vaccine.

He appreciated the role of the media in creating awareness about the HPV vaccine and called for more synergy to make the vaccination programme successful.

Presenting a topic on behavioral change, an Expert  on Social and Behavioural Change, UNICEF, Aderonke Akinlola-Akinwole, wants  stakeholders to leverage their individual platforms to make people understand the virus, convince their young girl to accept the vaccine and tell them where to get the vaccine.

Akinlola-Akinwole happ on the importance of early vaccination as a means of ensuring total eradication of HPV. “Vaccination against HPV is an act of protecting, not just the individual but also, the entire community.

“Prevention is better, cheaper and wiser than cure. It is cheaper to vaccinate against HPV than treating cervical cancer.

For early diagnosis and treatment, women of reproductive age and above are encouraged to go for screening,” Aderonke.

Juliana Ekong