The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Epidemic among Women in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of Vaccination, Prevention, and Public Health Measures

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that affects approximately 70% of individuals during their lifetime, with approximately 47 million women aged 15 years and older at risk of developing the disease in Nigeria. Studies have revealed that HPV is associated with various cancers, including cervical cancer, which is the most prevalent HPV-related cancer among women in Nigeria. Annually, approximately 14,089 Nigerian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 8,240 die from the disease. Despite the availability of preventive measures such as HPV vaccination and screening, cervical cancer remains a significant public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Nigeria. Objective: This study reviews the epidemiology, prevention, and barriers to HPV vaccination in Nigeria, highlighting the low awareness and uptake of the vaccine among adolescents and young adults. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the PRISMA guidelines.  PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate were used to retrieve all relevant literature that focused on HPV prevalence, vaccination coverage, and prevention policies in Nigeria. We identified 38 studies, 8 of which met the inclusion criteria for comprehensive review. Results: The findings revealed an HPV prevalence of 14.7% in Irun to 37% in Abuja. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Nigeria women with approximately 14,089 new cases each year. Nevertheless, awareness of the HPV vaccine is relatively low with only 13.7% of women of age taking at least one dose. We identified barriers such as high cost, little or no availability of public health infrastructure, cultural views, and lack of information to constitute this.  Conclusion: There is a need for strategic public health awareness about the menace of HPV. This should include HPV vaccines at little or no cost, school-based immunization programs, and nationwide sensitization programs. The incorporation of HPV vaccination into the national immunization program scheme would also to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer to a large extent.