As part of the fight against cervical cancer, training has been given to members of the Vaccination Coordination Department and the management team of the Koumassi health district. The aim of this initiative is to familiarise them with the tools for managing vaccination campaigns on the mHealth platform, which will be deployed to identify and vaccinate young girls aged 8 to 19 against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
The Human Papillomavirus vaccine: essential protection
The Human Papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with a risk of acquisition of over 80% in sexually active individuals. Certain strains of this virus are responsible for a range of conditions, including genital warts and several types of cancer, including cancer of the cervix, anus, penis, oropharynx, vagina and vulva. Prophylactic vaccination against HPV is therefore a fundamental pillar of the WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. It is estimated that implementation of this strategy could prevent 60 million cases of cervical cancer and 45 million deaths over the coming decades.
The importance of vaccinating young girls
Vaccinating young girls before they become sexually active is crucial to preventing HPV infections and, consequently, reducing the incidence of associated cancers. This preventive approach is particularly effective in reducing the burden of cervical cancer, which accounts for a significant proportion of HPV-related cancers. Protecting this population contributes not only to the individual health of young women, but also to public health in general, by reducing transmission of the virus and the costs associated with treating the diseases it causes.
Côte d'Ivoire: a pioneer in HPV vaccination
Côte d'Ivoire is among the first countries to have included HPV vaccination in its routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) since November 2019, targeting young girls aged 9 to 14. This initiative demonstrates the country's commitment to fighting cervical cancer and protecting the health of its younger generations.
Transition to digital management of vaccination campaigns with mHealth
Traditionally, vaccination campaigns have been managed using paper-based data, which has led to a number of challenges, including delays in data collection and analysis, an increase in human errors that can even lead to doses not being administered to certain targets, and difficulty in tracking the progress of campaigns in real time. The adoption of digital solutions such as mHealth is radically transforming this dynamic.
The mHealth platform offers several modules dedicated to the efficient management of vaccination campaigns:
- Operational micro-planning moduleDetailed campaign planning, enabling you to assess the need for doses, enumerators, vaccinators and other resources required to carry out the campaign.
- Module for identifying target populations: Identifies and lists groups to be vaccinated, based on demographic and epidemiological data, to ensure complete vaccination coverage.
- Module for monitoring the administration of vaccine dosesVaccination: Ensuring that individuals are monitored and cared for throughout the campaign, guaranteeing that vaccines are administered effectively and that the vaccination schedule is adhered to.
- Real-time transaction monitoring moduleCampaign monitoring: Provides ongoing monitoring of campaign activities, enabling immediate adjustments and continuous process improvement.
- Data Management and Reporting ModuleData management: centralises the data collected and generates detailed reports for the evaluation and improvement of current and future campaigns.
- Payment module for enumerators and vaccinatorsMobile payment: Facilitates the rapid and transparent payment of field agents via mobile payment solutions, improving their motivation and the effectiveness of campaigns.
Integrating mHealth into immunisation campaigns enables real-time data collection, fewer errors, better resource allocation and faster, more informed decision-making. This transition to digital technology is essential for improving the effectiveness and impact of vaccination programmes, particularly in contexts where resources are limited and speed of action is crucial.
In conclusion, the training of the Koumassi teams in the use of mHealth for HPV vaccination represents a significant step forward in the fight against cervical cancer. By combining effective vaccine prevention with digital management tools, Côte d'Ivoire is well placed to achieve its public health objectives and protect the health of its younger generations.
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