Assessment of Human Papillomavirus and HPV Vaccines in West Africa: Literature Review | Chapter 3 | An Overview of Disease and Health Research Vol. 7

 

Background: Human Papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted aetiologic agent causing cervical carcinoma. It is the second most common cause of female cancer. Concerned about the prevalence and mortality associated with HPV and cervical cancer, the World Health Organisation (WHO) made a passionate appeal in 2020 on the necessity and urgency of eliminating cervical cancer and made it a top priority public health issue and hoped to achieve success through cervical screening, case management, and HPV vaccination as a primary preventive strategy globally. Human Papillomavirus vaccination is a novel primary prevention initiative aimed at reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer globally. For this altruistic effort to succeed, it is imperative to determine the knowledge and willingness of parents to present their adolescent girls for vaccination before they become sexually active.

 

Aim of the Study: The aim of the study is to evaluate the degree of knowledge and perception of the aetiologic factors of cancer of the cervix and the attitude of people to the HPV vaccine in West Africa.

 

Methods: A systematic computerised search was conducted across four databases. The review included peer-reviewed English-language studies published between 2018 and 2023.

 

Findings: Some of the papers reviewed showed poor knowledge, awareness of HPV and cervical cancer, and a poor attitude towards HPV vaccination, while a few participants in some studies showed a fair understanding of HPV and cervical cancer and were interested in accepting the HPV vaccine. However, there were barriers against a sizable uptake of the HPV vaccine in West Africa. Some of the militating factors against a high uptake of the HPV vaccines found were people’s poor health-seeking behaviours, poor enlightenment about HPV on the part of the sub-regional governments about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine, exorbitant cost of the vaccine and the unwillingness of parents to allow their eligible adolescents obtain the HPV vaccine in West Africa which were related to their cultural beliefs and poor knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer. However, some of the results were confounded from region to region.

 

Conclusion: Poor knowledge and lack of awareness of what the aetiologic factors of cervical cancer are, and the poor health-seeking attitudes of people in the West African subregion are the harbingers of the increasing prevalence of cervical carcinoma in the region. Rigorous health education and enlightenment campaigns are urgently needed to inform and help people make informed decisions about the HPV vaccine and increase its uptake by adolescents. So, cultural beliefs, parents’ knowledge, and vaccine recipients’ knowledge about HPV and its many pa- pathologies and barriers, which may militate against a sizable vaccine uptake, have to be taken into consideration before an effective vaccination programme can succeed in West Africa. The study’s limitations include heterogeneity in findings and focus on only two countries, highlighting the need for broader, more representative research.

 

Author(s) Details

Foluso Bamidele Afelumo
Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aodhr/v7/6516

 

Insights into Oral Lesions Epidemiology and Risk Factors in North India: Findings from a Comprehensive Hospital-Based Investigation | Chapter 3 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 3

 Aim: The present study was conducted to understand the clinical profile of individuals with oral precancerous lesions or oral cancer, estimate the relative prevalence of these disorders, and test the hypothesis that chewing tobacco/pan masala is a risk factor for them.

 

Background:  One of the most prevalent and deadly illnesses is oral cancer throughout the world. There are various obstacles that developing nations must overcome in order to locate and eliminate possible danger factors. Oral cancer and precancerous lesions are thought to be most strongly associated with tobacco chewing/pan masala.

 

Methodology: A hospital-based study was conducted and 471 subjects were recruited in the study. The subjects comprised patients with squamous cell carcinoma (n = 85), oral submucous fibrosis (n = 240), leukoplakia (n = 32), lichen planus (n = 15), and controls (n = 99). Statistical analysis of the data was done using Chi-square and regression analysis.

 

Results: A strong correlation was observed between the presence of the chewing habit in all the oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer. Duration of the habit and intensity of habit were also strongly correlated with the risk of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer. Other factors such as alcohol and smoking were found to be less important in concern with oral cancer and precancerous lesions.

 

Conclusion: The Indian subcontinent bears one-third of the global burden. Annually, about 800,000 deaths in India result directly from tobacco-related cancers. Cancers of the oral cavity hold a critical position in healthcare systems due to the potential for early detection, which is both theoretically feasible and highly beneficial in practice. Early detection typically correlates with a significant reduction in the risk of disfigurement, recurrence, and mortality.

Author(s) Details:

Sharon John,
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King Georges Medical University, India.

Priya Devi,
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King Georges Medical University, India.

Shalini Gupta,
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King Georges Medical University, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/NVMMS-V3/article/view/13950