About the project:
The
Multi Age Campaign (MAC) for HPV Vaccination in Kaura Namoda Local Government
Area (LGA) of Zamfara State was a landmark initiative spearheaded by the Center
for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS). This project was
part of Phase II of the HPV Vaccine introduction in Nigeria’s Expanded Program
on Immunization (EPI), launched by the National Primary Healthcare Development
Agency (NPHCDA) in October 2023. Funded by the Johns Hopkins International
Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) and Gavi, and in collaboration with NPHCDA, the
campaign aimed to vaccinate adolescent girls aged 9 to 14 years to combat
cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in
Nigeria.
The primary objectives of the project were:
- Increase HPV Vaccination Coverage: To vaccinate adolescent girls aged 9 to 14 years against HPV, thereby reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in the region.
- Community Engagement and Education: To raise awareness about HPV vaccination, dispel misconceptions, and generate demand for the vaccine among parents, guardians, and adolescents.
- Youth Empowerment: To mobilize and train youth-led organizations and individuals to act as Vaccine Champions (VCs) in promoting HPV vaccination in Kaura Namoda LGA.
C-WINS
employed a human-centered design (HCD) approach, focusing on co-creating
activities with youth to enhance HPV vaccine mobilization. The strategy was
multifaceted, ensuring broad reach and effectiveness:
- Community Outreach: Mobile teams visited homes and
community centers to administer vaccines and educate families. This direct
engagement approach vaccinated 3,541 girls across the three wards in Kaura
Namoda LGA.
- School-Based Programs: Vaccination teams were
deployed to schools, reaching 5,909 girls. This targeted approach ensured
high coverage among school-going girls, significantly boosting the overall
success of the campaign.
- Fixed Vaccine Centres: Designated health facilities
and temporary centers were established to provide consistent vaccination
sites, reaching 2,571 girls. These centers ensured accessibility and
reliability, contributing significantly to the campaign’s overall
effectiveness.
The MAC
campaign in Kaura Namoda LGA resulted in the successful vaccination of 9,009
girls, with 6,839 girls aged 10-14 and 2,170 girls aged 9 receiving the HPV
vaccine. This significant achievement in the fight against cervical cancer
underscores the effectiveness of the campaign’s multifaceted strategy. The
project also demonstrated the crucial role of community engagement, with
traditional and religious leaders publicly endorsing the campaign, thereby
fostering trust and acceptance.
Several challenges were encountered during the campaign:
- Logistical Challenges: The expansive geographical area and the need to reach remote locations posed logistical difficulties. These were overcome by deploying mobile teams and setting up fixed centers in strategic locations.
- Cultural and Social Barriers: Initial resistance due to cultural beliefs and misconceptions about the vaccine was addressed through targeted advocacy and sensitization efforts involving community leaders and healthcare professionals.
The project highlighted the importance of youth involvement in public health initiatives. The success of the MAC campaign demonstrated that engaging local youths as Vaccine Champions was instrumental in raising awareness and increasing vaccine uptake. Additionally, the project reinforced the value of community engagement and the need for continuous advocacy to overcome cultural and social barriers. Future initiatives can build on this model by further integrating youth and community leaders into the planning and execution phases.
What We Learned
- Youth Empowerment is Key: Involving youth as Vaccine Champions not only increased vaccination coverage but also helped in creating a sustainable community-driven health initiative.
- Community Trust is Crucial: Gaining the endorsement of traditional and religious leaders was vital in overcoming resistance and fostering trust in the vaccination campaign.
- Adaptability in Strategy: The flexibility to adapt strategies to local contexts, such as utilizing both mobile outreach and fixed centers, was essential in achieving high coverage and ensuring accessibility for all target groups.
The knowledge and experiences gained from this project have been shared with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, and international partners. The strategies employed by C-WINS, particularly the human-centered design approach and youth mobilization, serve as a blueprint for future vaccination campaigns in Nigeria and other similar contexts. The success of this initiative also reinforces C-WINS’ mission to enhance community health and well-being through innovative and impactful projects.
