| Abstract: |
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains a major global public
health challenge because of its association with cervical cancer and several
other anogenital and oropharyngeal malignancies. Although safe and
effective vaccines capable of preventing most HPV-related diseases have
been available for over a decade, vaccination coverage remains below the
targets recommended by global health authorities, particularly in low- and
middle-income countries. Poor awareness, misinformation, vaccine
hesitancy, cultural misconceptions, inadequate access to credible health
information, and weak communication strategies continue to undermine
vaccination programmes. Consequently, health communication has
become an indispensable component of HPV prevention by improving
knowledge, influencing perceptions, strengthening vaccine confidence,
and encouraging informed health decisions. This review examines
empirical studies on the contribution of health communication to HPV
vaccination promotion. Relevant empirical literature published between
2020 and 2026 was synthesised using a narrative review approach.
Evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed journals and reports of
international public health organisations to examine the effectiveness of
interpersonal communication, healthcare provider recommendations,
mass media campaigns, social media interventions, peer education,
school-based health education, and community engagement in improving
HPV vaccine uptake. The review demonstrates that communication
interventions grounded in behavioural theories and adapted to local
sociocultural contexts significantly improve awareness, reduce
misinformation, enhance vaccine confidence, and increase vaccination
acceptance. Nevertheless, disparities in information access, persistent
misinformation, inadequate policy implementation, financial barriers, and
sociocultural resistance continue to limit vaccination coverage in many
developing countries. The review concludes that integrating evidencebased health communication into national immunisation strategies is
essential for increasing HPV vaccine uptake and achieving the World
Health Organization's cervical cancer elimination targets.
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