The Role of Healthcare Workers in HPV Prevention: Insights and Implications for Public Health in Gujarat
Keywords:
N\AAbstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its related health effects, including cervical cancer. HCWs play a crucial role in raising awareness, busting myths, supporting the use of HPV vaccination and screening services since they are reliable sources of health information. Implementing public health programmes requires their active participation, particularly in places where access to preventive care or knowledge is restricted. This abstract examines important aspects of health care workers' duties, such as patient education, vaccine advocacy, and involvement in early detection initiatives. It also looks at the difficulties they encounter, like cultural barriers, vaccine hesitancy, and knowledge gaps, and provides recommendations for practices and policies meant to increase their ability. Improving HCWs' roles through focused training, encouraging regulations, and interprofessional cooperation will greatly increase efforts to prevent HPV and lower the number of diseases linked to HPV worldwide.
Downloads
Metrics
References
World Health Organization. (2022). Cervical cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). HPV (human papillomavirus). https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). Cervical cancer. https://www.iarc.who.int/cancer-type/cervical-cancer/
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2021). Annual report 2020–21. Government of India. https://main.mohfw.gov.in/documents/publications
Government of Gujarat. (n.d.). Health & Family Welfare Department. https://gujhealth.gujarat.gov.in/
World Health Organization. (2020). Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240014107
PATH. (2020). The critical role of health workers in HPV vaccine introduction. https://www.path.org/resources/the-critical-role-of-health-workers-in-hpv-vaccine-introduction/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). HPV vaccination recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/index.html
PATH. (2020). Addressing barriers to HPV vaccination and screening: A global overview. https://www.path.org/resources/addressing-barriers-to-hpv-vaccination-and-screening/
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. (n.d.). Health worker challenges in HPV vaccine delivery. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/health-worker-challenges-hpv-vaccine-delivery
Ndejjo, R., Mukama, T., Musabyimana, A., & Musoke, D. (2020). Knowledge, facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in Uganda: A qualitative study. BMJ Open, 10(3), e034590. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034590
World Health Organization. (2020). Guide to introducing HPV vaccine into national immunization programmes. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240060463
PATH. (2021). The impact of health worker involvement on HPV vaccine delivery and uptake. https://www.path.org/resources/the-impact-of-health-worker-involvement-on-hpv-vaccine-delivery-and-uptake/
Indian Council of Medical Research. (2021). HPV and cervical cancer in India: Research and policy gaps. https://www.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/guidelines/HPV_Cervical_Cancer_India_Research_Policy_Gaps.pdf
Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute. (n.d.). Cancer prevention and screening initiatives in Gujarat. https://www.gcriindia.org/initiatives/cancer-prevention-and-screening
National Health Mission – Gujarat. (n.d.). Strengthening service delivery for non-communicable diseases including cancer. https://nhm.gujarat.gov.in/ncd-cancer.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Cancers caused by HPV. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/index.htm
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). HPV and related cancers – Fact sheet. https://www.iarc.who.int/vital-statistics/hpv-and-related-cancers/
National Cancer Institute. (2023). HPV and cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-fact-sheet
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). HPV vaccine information for healthcare professionals. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/hcp/index.html
World Health Organization. (2022). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines: WHO position paper – December 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9749-522-552
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). HPV vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine.html
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Gardasil 9 vaccine information. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/gardasil-9
Drolet, M., Bénard, É., Pérez, N., et al. (2021). Population-level impact and herd effects following the introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination programmes: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 397(10275), 497–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00198-0
World Health Organization. (2022). Safety update of HPV vaccines. https://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/updates/HPV/en/
World Health Organization. (2021). WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240065581
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). Cervical cancer screening methods. https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/cervical-cancer-screening-methods/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cervical cancer screening guidelines for healthcare providers. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/guidelines.htm
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). https://www.iarc.who.int/faq/visual-inspection-with-acetic-acid-via/
PATH. (2020). Cervical cancer prevention: VIA and cryotherapy. https://www.path.org/resources/cervical-cancer-prevention-via-cryotherapy/
Indian Council of Medical Research. (2021). Operational framework: Introduction of HPV vaccine in public health programs in India – Learnings from demonstration projects. https://www.icmr.gov.in/HPV_vaccine_framework_2021
Gujarat State Health Department / NHM Gujarat. (2022). Annual report – Pilot HPV vaccination programs in Gujarat. https://nhm.gujarat.gov.in/annual-report-HPV-vaccination-2022
World Health Organization – India Office. (2020). HPV vaccine demonstration projects in India. https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/2020/12/01/15/30/hpv-vaccine-demonstration-projects-in-india
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2023). India introduces HPV vaccine into Universal Immunisation Programme. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/india-introduces-hpv-vaccine-universal-immunisation-programme
Serum Institute of India. (2022). Cervavac: India’s first indigenous HPV vaccine launched. https://www.seruminstindia.com/cervavac
National Health Mission – Gujarat. (2023). Annual program implementation plan (APIP). https://nhm.gujarat.gov.in/APIP-2023
UNICEF India. (2022). Digital health tools to strengthen immunization: India's eVIN platform. https://www.unicef.org/india/digital-health-tools-strengthen-immunization-indias-evin-platform
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. (2020). Reaching the unreached: HPV vaccination in marginalized communities. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/reaching-unreached-hpv-vaccination-marginalized-communities
UNICEF. (2021). Effective communication strategies for increasing HPV vaccine uptake. https://www.unicef.org/documents/effective-communication-strategies-increasing-hpv-vaccine-uptake
PATH. (2020). Community engagement for HPV vaccine uptake. https://www.path.org/resources/community-engagement-hpv-vaccine-uptake
World Health Organization. (2022). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines: WHO position paper – December 2022. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9749-522-552
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). HPV vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine.html
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Gardasil 9 vaccine information. HPV vaccines. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/gardasil-9
World Health Organization. (2022). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines: WHO position paper – December 2022. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9749-522-552
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). HPV vaccine effectiveness and impact. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine/effectiveness.html
Drolet, M., Bénard, É., Pérez, N., et al. (2021). Population-level impact and herd effects following the introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination programmes: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 397(10275), 497–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00198-0
World Health Organization. (2022). Safety update of HPV vaccines. World Health Organization.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). HPV vaccine safety and effectiveness. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine/safety.html
World Health Organization. (2021). WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240065581
World Health Organization. (2022). Cervical cancer screening. World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer.
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). Cervical cancer screening methods. International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/cervical-cancer-screening-methods/
World Health Organization. (2021). WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention. World Health Organization.
World Health Organization. (2022). Cervical cancer screening. World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cervical cancer screening guidelines for healthcare providers. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/guidelines.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cervical cancer screening guidelines for healthcare providers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/guidelines.htm
World Health Organization. (2021). WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240065581
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2021). Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://www.iarc.who.int/faq/visual-inspection-with-acetic-acid-via/
PATH. (2020). Cervical cancer prevention: VIA and cryotherapy. PATH. https://www.path.org/resources/cervical-cancer-prevention-via-cryotherapy/
Indian Council of Medical Research. (2021). Operational framework: Introduction of HPV vaccine in public health programs in India – Learnings from demonstration projects. Indian Council of Medical Research. https://www.icmr.gov.in/HPV_vaccine_framework_2021
Gujarat State Health Department / NHM Gujarat. (2022). Annual report – Pilot HPV vaccination programs in Gujarat. Government of Gujarat. https://nhm.gujarat.gov.in/annual-report-HPV-vaccination-2022
3World Health Organization – India Office. (2020). HPV vaccine demonstration projects in India. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/2020/12/01/15/30/hpv-vaccine-demonstration-projects-in-india.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. (2021). Operational guidelines for the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). Government of India.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (2021). Operational framework: Introduction of HPV vaccine in public health programs in India. Indian Council of Medical Research. https://www.icmr.gov.in/HPV_vaccine_framework_2021
National Health Mission – Gujarat. (2023). Annual program implementation plan (APIP). Government of Gujarat. https://nhm.gujarat.gov.in/APIP-2023
World Health Organization (WHO) – India. (2023). Strengthening cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccine uptake in India. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/2023/01/01/strengthening-cervical-cancer-screening-and-hpv-vaccine-uptake-in-india
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. (2023). India introduces HPV vaccine into Universal Immunisation Programme. Government of India. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/india-introduces-hpv-vaccine-universal-immunisation-programme.
Serum Institute of India. (2022). Cervavac: India’s first indigenous HPV vaccine launched. Serum Institute of India. https://www.seruminstindia.com/cervavac.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (2023). Operational framework for introduction of HPV vaccine in public health. Indian Council of Medical Research. https://www.icmr.gov.in/HPV_vaccine_framework_2023.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. (2021). Operational guidelines: National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
National Health Portal – Government of India. (2023). Sanjeevani and Vaccine Intelligence Network (VIN). Government of India. https://www.nhp.gov.in/sanjeevani-and-vaccine-intelligence-network-vi
World Health Organization. (2020). Role of health workers in HPV vaccine introduction. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/en/
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. (2021). Empowering health workers to promote HPV vaccination. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/empowering-health-workers-promote-hpv-vaccination
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (2021). Operational framework for HPV vaccine introduction. Indian Council of Medical Research. https://www.icmr.gov.in/HPV_vaccine_framework_2021
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. (2020). Reaching the unreached: HPV vaccination in marginalized communities. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/reaching-unreached-hpv-vaccination-marginalized-communities
World Health Organization. (2021). Guidance on HPV vaccine equity and reaching underserved populations. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/equity.
UNICEF India. (2022). Digital health tools to strengthen immunization: India's eVIN platform. UNICEF India. https://www.unicef.org/india/digital-health-tools-strengthen-immunization-indias-evin-platform
World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Practical guide for health workers: Communicating about HPV vaccination. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/en/
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. (2022). Overcoming vaccine hesitancy through community health workers. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/overcoming-vaccine-hesitancy-through-community-health-workers
UNICEF. (2021). Effective communication strategies for increasing HPV vaccine uptake. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/documents/effective-communication-strategies-increasing-hpv-vaccine-uptake
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
