Increasing HPV Vaccine Uptake: Overcoming Barriers for Rural Mothers in Nigeria

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 660,000 cases and 350,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Fortunately, HPV is largely preventable through vaccination, making vaccines a crucial tool in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer.

At the VARN2023 conference, critical data was presented on the challenges mothers in rural Nigeria face in ensuring their children receive the HPV vaccine. Expanding upon Dr. Chinedu Anthony Iwu’s conference presentation, this research — led by Dr. Iwu and his colleagues — was published in the Archives of Infectious Disease & Therapy and sheds light on why many children in these areas are not receiving the HPV vaccine, despite its proven benefits in preventing cervical cancer.

Study Insights

According to UNICEF, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths in 2020, making it the third most common cancer among women in Nigeria. Iwu et al.’s study revealed a troublingly low uptake of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria in 2022, with only 11% of mothers reporting their children had been vaccinated. As of November 2023, the WHO announced that the HPV vaccine has been added to the routine immunization system in Nigeria, aiming to reach over 7 million girls.

Since the primary target population of the HPV vaccine is adolescent girls, parental consent is required for giving informed consent, which makes their support of immunization pivotal in uptake of the vaccine. Yet, most mothers in the study had little knowledge about HPV (73%) and many had negative attitudes towards the vaccine (42%). However, 37% of mothers expressed a strong willingness to vaccinate their children if they had more information and support.

Several key factors influenced whether mothers chose to vaccinate their children, including the mother’s understanding of HPV and her attitude towards the vaccine. Additionally, factors like the mother’s age, religion, education level, income, and their husband’s career played substantial roles. For example, young mothers (aged 18-34), those practicing the Catholic faith, and those with higher incomes were more likely to have vaccinated their children. These findings emphasize the complexity of socio-economic and cultural factors in vaccination decisions.

The study also elucidates the need to ensure mothers have access to accurate information about HPV and the vaccine, valuable insights for creating effective educational programs that target mothers and support their role in protecting their children’s health. Focusing on education, dispelling myths, and involving the community are key steps towards reducing cervical cancer rates and protecting future generations from vaccine-preventable diseases.