From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
UNICEF’s Advocacy Volunteers are working to promote Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, which protects against cervical and genital cancers, and have pledged to educate adolescent girls about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Following a training workshop organized by the Sokoto State Government in collaboration with UNICEF on the need to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine in Sokoto communities, held at Sokoto Guest House.
Rosemary Joseph, a 200-level medical student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, is among the volunteers who explained that she learned and well equipped with knowledge on the HPV disease and pledged work toward increase the virus vaccination rate among targeted 9 to 14 years girls in State.
Joseph further noted that HPV means Human Papilloma Virus, affecting the sexual organs of both males and females, which can lead to other diseases such as cervical cancer and genital cancer.
The primary cause of HPV is mainly contracted through sexual intercourse, especially when exposed to sexual activities at an early age.
According to her, such situations increase the risk of getting this particular virus.
“We as volunteers intend to carry out advocacy to youth and targeted audiences,” she said.
“We had the opportunity to attend a training in Abuja, and coming back here, we were tasked with selecting volunteers, three from each of the five local governments in Sokoto State.
“So, we have been able to select 15 young volunteers who will be following us, and they were trained on what HPV is, how they should effectively carry out their activities, and how they should work to increase the uptake, because that is the main reason why they are engaged.”
Aliyu Dalhatu, also a volunteer representing Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State for the HPV vaccine awareness and workshop, said, “We aim to enlighten and educate our community and create awareness to explain what the vaccine is all about.
“Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the causative agent of 99 percent of cervical cancer, and educating people on what this vaccine is, is crucial.
As members of the communities, we know our communities best, and we can relay with all stakeholders, including religious leaders and town criers, to create awareness and invite them to accept the vaccines.”
Another volunteer, Mujahid Murtala Muhammad, a 200-level medical student from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, said, “I’m here as a young UNICEF volunteer to advocate for HPV vaccination for adolescent girls between 9-14 years.
“I thank UNICEF and the Canadian government for bringing this wonderful opportunity to Sokoto community in Nigeria.
We’ve learned a lot about the project, and we’ve discovered that HPV is the causative agent for most of the cervical cancer cases in our region.”
Another volunteer stated that the HPV vaccine is administered to girls aged nine to prevent them against cervical cancer.
They pledged to educate community members who are not aware of the virus through social media,town criers and other mobilisation platforms.