SSCCEN Launches National Essay Competition to Combat HPV Vaccine Misinformation

In a strategic move aimed at combating misinformation surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria (SSCCEN) has launched a national essay competition. The competition, which is part of the youth engagement initiatives spearheaded by SSCCEN, is designed to place adolescent girls at the forefront of efforts to raise awareness about HPV and cervical cancer, as well as dispel the myths surrounding HPV vaccination.According to a statement released by Dr. Ishak Lawal, Secretary of the Scientific Committee, the essay competition is expected to empower Nigerian youths with accurate information. Dr. Peace Shalom, National Director of the Technical Office on Cancer Awareness and Advocacy (TOCAA), chairs the youth engagement committee overseeing the initiative. The competition’s theme, “Empowering Families and Youth: HPV Vaccination as a Pathway to Prevent Cervical Cancer and Foster Positive Health Discussions,” aims to promote HPV vaccination as a crucial preventative measure while encouraging positive health discussions within families.With over 7,000 women in Nigeria succumbing annually to cervical cancer, a disease preventable through timely HPV vaccination, the essay competition is expected to generate critical youth-led awareness. It aligns with Nigeria’s recent introduction of the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative. The competition will culminate with awards presented during the second SSCCEN Summit in November 2024, a gathering designed to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration towards achieving Nigeria’s cervical cancer elimination targets.