Sindh HPV drive at risk due to unawareness about cervical cancer, its prevention

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ISLAMABAD: For young girls, Sindh for less than a month before launching their expensive HPV vaccination campaign, a new survey revealed a catastrophic difference in public awareness as only 5 % of careers in the province have heard about the virus, which causes only 2 % to avoid this virus.

These results confirm what many experts and health journalists have expressed: This campaign, which aims to protect 4.1 million girls, is not alarmingly ready and the risks fail before it begins.

Using a Sindh representative’s sample by Jhapago, the survey shows that only 23 % of the caregivers did not hear about cervical cancer. Even less – 5 % – HPV (Human Pepleoma virus), and surprisingly 2 % had no knowledge of the HPV vaccine.

Among those who heard about cervical cancer, mostly wrongly were believed that it was due to poor hygiene or a child’s transfer from a mother. Only 2 % mentioned HPV as a reason.

The Sindh government plans to launch an HPV vaccination campaign across the province in September 2025, through its expansion program (EPI), through its expansion program (EPI), in which girls aged 9 to 14 have been targeted. It has been supported by Gavi’s support and by the National Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), which will be a massive rollout in Pakistan. But on the ground, the picture is serious.

“These numbers are red alert,” said a senior physician who was familiar with the campaign. “We are introducing a vaccine that 98 % of the careers have never heard, because 77 % of the disease is not known for the disease. This is not an expedition. This is a destruction of communication.”

Despite allegedly allocating huge sums of money for awareness, there is no large -scale media access, neither television public service messages, nor large -scale community engagements. Health journalists in Karachi say they were never invited to any trend session or press briefing.

“They have reduced our role in re -writing the press release,” said a frustrated health reporter. “When we are unaware, we cannot inform the public.”

The lack of awareness is not just because of public hesitation. In fact, the survey shows that 63 % of careers were ready to drop their daughters after receiving basic information. Still concerns remain: 66 % presented a lack of clear information as a barrier, while 18 % expressed concerns about rumors of vaccine protection or infertility – which can be easily resolved with proper communication but has been left to accelerate.

Even among the health professionals, it is annoying to disconnect. A school teacher in the Gulshan -e -Iqbal area of Karachi said that despite working in education, he had never heard of the vaccine. “How can I trust this vaccine whenever my gynecologist never mentioned it?” Asked the mother of a 13 -year -old girl, Arum Ali.

At a recent seminar organized by the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) Sindh Bob at the PMA House, senior experts, including Nitig Chair Professor Khalid Shafi and Professor Halima Yasmin, presented scientific data to support the campaign. But there was very little media participation in the program, as it was held on Sunday without harmony.

EPI Sindh Additional Project Director, Dr. Sohail Sheikh, acknowledged the difference between both caregivers and health journalists, and claimed that the Department of HPV vaccine is planning to educate the public, especially to the parents of young girls, especially to educate the parents.

He added, “We are also seeking support from international partners like UNICEF and planning to plan and plan capabilities workshops to help promote health journalists and influence and help enhance public confidence.”

Pakistan has the highest rate of cervical cancer deaths in South Asia, with more than 5,000 new cases reported annually. The HPV vaccine, which protects from high -risk stress responsible for 70 % of cases, has been available for years in a private clinic, but high cost and lack of awareness have removed it from public access.

“If we do not work fast, it will be a matter of a textbook how to interfere with life,” a public health specialist warned. “You can find the best science and logistics, but without public confidence, you are injecting in the dark.”