Table 3 HPV vaccine communication objectives

Raise cervical cancer awareness & understanding

• Cervical cancer is a serious disease that affects a woman’s cervix.

• It often strikes women in their 30’s and 40’s. But it starts to develop many years earlier.

• It is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and a main cause of cancer death.

• Each year in Kenya, about 2,500 women get cervical cancer and 2,000 women die from it.

Create demand for HPV vaccine

• A vaccine can prevent girls from getting cervical cancer later in life. It is given as an injection in the arm. Three doses are needed for full protection.

Address safety concerns

• It is best if the vaccine be given to girls around the ages of 9–13 years. Vaccinating girls at this age ensures that they are protected long before cervical cancer begins to develop.

Address concerns about sterilization

• It is best if the vaccine be given to girls around the ages of 9–13 years. Vaccinating girls at this age ensures that they are protected long before cervical cancer begins to develop.

Build on positive vaccine perceptions and emphasize perceived benefits

•The vaccine protects the reproductive health of girls/women.

o By vaccinating young girls, we can protect their health and their future – so they can be around for their own children and families.

o Prevention is better than treatment or cure.

Create realistic expectations of vaccine to help minimize rumors or false expectations

• The most common side effects are pain, redness or swelling in the arm. Some girls may get a mild fever, headache, or nausea.

• The vaccine does not protect against HIV or STDs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Address health equity concerns

• The vaccine is intended primarily for prevention of cervical cancer, a disease that does not affect men. But everyone can help prevent cervical cancer.

o Parents can take their daughters to get vaccinated.

o Women can get screened for cervical cancer (Pap test or visual inspection) so that early problems can be found and treated – even before cancer develops.

o Men can support their wives, sisters and mothers in getting screened for cervical cancer.

o Everyone can start talking openly about cervical cancer and educating others about prevention.