Improving Human Papilloma Virus vaccine uptake through health literacy

The ability of an individual to obtain, analyse and comprehend the fundamental health information and services required to make informed choices regarding their health is referred to as health literacy. It involves using a variety of competencies, such as reading, writing, numeracy, critical thinking, and health information. Health literacy helps people comprehend medical instructions, navigate […]

The ability of an individual to obtain, analyse and comprehend the fundamental health information and services required to make informed choices regarding their health is referred to as health literacy. It involves using a variety of competencies, such as reading, writing, numeracy, critical thinking, and health information. Health literacy helps people comprehend medical instructions, navigate the healthcare system, and make decisions to improve their health and well-being.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Health Literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health.

Health Literacy means more than being able to read pamphlets and successfully make appointments. By improving people’s access to health information and their capacity to use it effectively, health literacy is critical to empowerment. Shortcomings in health education have undoubtedly exacerbated poor health literacy, but the causes of this nation’s health literacy issues go beyond the development of our educational system.

Patients are being asked to take on greater responsibility for self-care in an intricate healthcare system, leading to increased health literacy issues. Patients’ health literacy can be considered the currency needed to negotiate this complex system. Promoting health also requires appropriate health literacy, especially regarding primary prevention.

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A health-literate person is more likely to be able to respond to the query, “How do I keep myself well?” Sufficient health literacy may be even more crucial for secondary prevention because misinformation regarding medications and self-care instructions resulting from ineffective communication between health providers and patients can lead to medical errors.

Recognising health literacy as foundation to reforming health and healthcare is paramount. Without adequate health literacy among individuals, efforts to improve health outcomes and healthcare systems will face significant barriers. By prioritising health literacy initiatives, policymakers, healthcare providers, and organisations can enhance patient engagement, promote preventive care, reduce healthcare inequities, and ultimately, improve the overall quality and efficiency of the healthcare delivery pipeline.

Additionally, integrating health literacy into healthcare reform efforts can lead to more equitable access to healthcare services and better health outcomes for the population across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Health literacy is crucial for understanding Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It helps individuals make informed decisions about prevention, screening, and treatment. Knowledge about HPV’s transmission, its link to cervical cancer and other health issues, and the availability of vaccines can empower people to protect themselves and their partners. Linking health literacy and health education is a powerful approach to tackling HPV. Health education provides knowledge and skills about HPV prevention, screening, and treatment, while health literacy ensures individuals understand and can effectively apply this information in real-life situations.

By combining both, individuals can make informed decisions, access appropriate healthcare services, and engage in behaviours that reduce the transmission and impact of HPV on their health and well-being. Additionally, targeted health education programmes can help improve the level of health literacy, leading to better outcomes in HPV prevention and management.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection, causes six types of cancer and genital warts. A key prevention strategy for HPV and HPV-related cancers is HPV vaccination. HPV is responsible for about 90 per cent of cervical or anal cancer cases, 60 per cent of penile cancer cases, and about 70 per cent of oropharyngeal cancer cases worldwide. The WHO estimated that there were 660,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 350,000 deaths in the year 2022, making cervical cancer the fourth most fatal cancer in women.

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest global prevalence at 28 per cent. In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women; there are about 12,000 new diagnoses and approximately 8,000 deaths annually in the country. Risk factors for HPV infection in Nigeria include early sexual debut, having multiple sexual partners, unprotected intercourse, and a weakened immune system. Further, socioeconomic variables, such as poverty and limited access to healthcare, trigger delays in the diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related illnesses. Additionally, cultural attitudes and beliefs influence screening, immunisation programmes, and other HPV preventative measures.

HPV vaccination is a highly effective preventative strategy to lower the prevalence of illnesses linked to HPV, including cancers. However, due to a variety of reasons, including vaccine availability, cost, accessibility, and parental and caregiver reluctance, vaccination coverage varies both internationally and within sub-Saharan Africa.

HPV infections are common, and many people will contract HPV at some point in their lives, often without knowing it. Vaccines are available to prevent certain types of HPV infections. The HPV vaccine is recommended for both males and females, typically starting at the age of 11 or 12, to protect against HPV-related cancers and genital warts. Regular screening, such as Pap smear tests for cervical cancer, is also important for early detection and treatment of HPV-related diseases.

Creating an app on HPV for use in Antenatal Care and immunisation clinics would be a valuable tool for raising awareness and providing information about HPV and its vaccine. Through educational content, we can provide comprehensive information about HPV, including its transmission, symptoms, risks, prevention, and the importance of vaccination. This will include easy-to-understand language and visuals to make the information accessible to all users. Such an app will need to have a section for Vaccine Information that will give details about the HPV vaccine, such as its safety, efficacy, suggested dosage, and qualifying requirements. It will address common questions and misunderstandings regarding vaccination including its adverse effects.

Also, the app should have a clinic locator that includes a feature which allows users to find nearby ANC and immunization clinics where the HPV vaccine is available; It should provide clinic details such as location, contact information, operating hours, and services. Features like multilingual support to ensure that the app is available in multiple languages commonly spoken, such as English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and others, to accommodate a diverse user base.

The app should have accessibility features for users with disabilities by incorporating functionalities such as text-to-speech, voice commands, and high-contrast modes. Through promotion and outreach in collaboration with primary healthcare authorities, clinics, and community organizations, the use of the app could be propagated to encourage its use among pregnant women, caregivers, and healthcare providers all over Nigeria. By developing an app with these features and collaborating with local stakeholders, the app could serve as a valuable tool for promoting HPV vaccination and improving access to information and services in ANC and immunization clinics in Nigeria.

 

Professor Salihu is the CEO/DG, Kano Independent Research Centre, popularly known as ‘Pfizer Research Centre’ [email protected]