The road to cervical cancer elimination : Nivi's HPV Awareness Odyssey
On this International HPV Awareness Day, together, let's pave the road to cervical cancer elimination and create a healthier, more equitable future for all.
International HPV Awareness Day
Every year, the world observes International HPV Awareness Day on 4th March. Developed in 2018 by the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS), International HPV Awareness Day, is an annual opportunity to educate about Human Papillomavirus, its associated cancers and prevention tips against the virus that we have the tools to eliminate and the ability to prevent the cancers that HPV can cause.
India - today
India’s burden of Cervical Cancer is severe and incidence rates have been growing at an average 2.5% since 2018. In 2022 alone, India saw an estimated 79,103 incidences of cervical cancer as per Indian Council of Medical Research’ National Cancer Registry Programme. Despite declining trends, cervical cancer remains a significant public health problem in India, with multifactorial causation and potential for prevention [Sreedevi et al., 2015]. As per the National Family Health Survey 5, only 1.9% of Women between the ages of 30 to 49 had ever undergone a cervical cancer screening and the low screening rate among women in both rural and urban areas highlights a stark reality of the widespread gaps in our healthcare system regarding preventative care.
While it’s wonderful to see health systems responding to the urgency of cervical cancer prevention, a similar focus on generating awareness and deepening the resolve to act (get vaccinated/screened) is equally important. It's important to recognize that additional measures may be necessary to ensure comprehensive protection against HPV-related diseases.
HPV and importance of gender indifferent vaccination programs
Highlighting the importance of gender-indifferent vaccination programs, it's crucial to recognize that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection. This means that both males and females can transmit and acquire the virus. By vaccinating only girls, we miss an opportunity to protect boys from HPV infection and its associated health risks. While cervical cancer is the most well-known HPV-related cancer, HPV can also cause other cancers in males, including anal, penile, and throat cancers. Vaccinating boys can help prevent these cancers and reduce the overall burden of HPV-related diseases. The long term effects of vaccinating only one gender could lead to perpetuation of gender disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. It's essential to ensure equitable access to HPV vaccination for all individuals, regardless of gender, to promote inclusivity and reduce disparities in HPV-related disease burden.
Nivi’s work in HPV and Cervical Cancer Awareness
Nivi has worked extensively in raising awareness about HPV and its link to Cervical Cancer in Kenya and Nigeria. More than 30,000 askNivi users have interacted with the HPV Journey across both countries and we’ve observed that while the awareness about HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer was low, askNivi users were ready to take action (get vaccinated or get a cervical cancer screening) once they learned about the link between them. Our experience in Kenya and Nigeria has shown us the power of tailored behavior change communication in driving action and empowering individuals to prioritize their sexual health. By leveraging Social and Behavior Change Communication strategies, askNivi has successfully guided more than 8100 users towards seeking HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services by sharing personalized referrals.
In Kenya, in our efforts to expand access to HPV vaccination and preventative screening services, we collaborated with partners at Ninety Innovation, Ark Venture Studio, and APA Insurance to develop tailored insurance plans. These plans extend HPV vaccine and preventative services coverage to Kenyans enrolled in the Femina Plus Insurance plan, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support. The insured individuals will manage their insurance plans, make bookings for preventative health services and improve their health awareness across other health topics right from their askNivi chat. This is one of the most transformationals insurance management experiences available in Kenya today and we’re keen to replicate the success of this model in India customized to its contexts.
India - tomorrow
To address the ongoing challenges in HPV awareness and prevention, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the askNivi HPV Journey in both Hindi and English languages, available nationwide starting 5th March 2024. Nivi is dedicated to empowering individuals across India with accurate information and resources to protect themselves against HPV-related diseases. As part of our initiative, Nivi will launch targeted social media awareness campaigns aimed at individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones. Through engaging creatives and an interactive WhatsApp based HPV Journey, we aim to raise awareness about HPV, the importance of vaccination, and cervical cancer prevention. By reaching a wide audience on social media, we hope to spark conversations, dispel myths, and encourage proactive steps towards safeguarding one's health.
NOTE : If you'd like to test your knowledge on HPV and Cervical Cancer or experience the askNivi HPV Journey, click this link to redirect to WhatsApp and send the pre-typed message.
Partnership for a better future
In other news, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Youth Ki Awaaz, a leading platform dedicated to enabling youth voices for a better future. With their mission to empower a billion young people worldwide, Youth Ki Awaaz has become a powerful force for social change. With over 15 million young readers visiting their website (www.youthkiawaaz.com) every month, Youth Ki Awaaz provides an unparalleled platform for dialogue, activism, and social impact. Through this partnership, we will leverage their reach and influence to engage young Indians in conversations about sexual health, HPV vaccination, and the importance of regular screenings.
We learn together and grow together
Join us for an exclusive webinar where we'll be sharing insights and learnings from our journey in raising awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention across Kenya, Nigeria and India. This event is designed to share valuable insights from Nivi's impactful work in raising awareness about HPV and cervical cancer, highlighting our efforts and achievements in this critical area. Moreover, the webinar aims to empower organizations with actionable insights that will help drive the elimination of cervical cancer.
Date: 21st March, 2024
Time: 4.30 PM - 5.30 PM IST | 7 AM - 8 AM EDT | 11 AM to 12 PM UTC
Platform: Register for Zoom Webinar Here
During this interactive session, we'll discuss:
Insights from askNivi HPV Journey from over 30,000 user interactions
How did Nivi and partners solve barriers to vaccination and screening in Kenya?
Early insights from HPV and Cervical Cancer awareness in India
Whether you're a healthcare professional, advocate, or individual passionate about making a difference in sexual health, this webinar is for you. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate towards a future free from HPV-related diseases.