Integrated HPV Vaccination and Adolescent Health in Ivory Coast

Strengthening HPV Vaccination and Adolescent Health Research Program (SHARP) in Ivory Coast

Background: Cervical cancer is a serious global public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is the leading cause of cancer in women, with around 70,722 new cases each year. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) prevents cervical cancer and is usually given to children around 9 to 15 years of age. HPV vaccination has been incorporated into many countries' Expanded Programs on Immunization, but often faces optimization and uptake challenges. SHARP is an implementation research initiative in Tanzania, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire that is looking at the potential of combining HPV vaccination with with adolescent primary care/preventive health services - how this might work and its effect on the uptake of the HPV vaccine and other services.

Objective: To describe the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness and sustainability of a locally-designed integrated adolescent health service package, including HPV vaccination in Cote d'Ivoire. Specifically, this study aims to optimize existing primary health care approaches, making service delivery not only more convenient but also more effective in addressing the specific needs of adolescents-both in school and out of school-across schools, communities, and health facilities.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental research study using the difference-in-difference method between an intervention group and a comparison group over time. It will use mixed methods drawing on quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, service time motion assessment, and administrative data. The study will be conducted in two regions, each with an intervention and comparison district. The optimized adolescent integrated health intervention will be implemented in the intervention districts with routine service provision in comparison areas. Monthly administrative service coverage data and baseline and endline surveys will be conducted in up to 3502 households with 1626 parents/caregivers and 1626 adolescents will assess effectiveness by looking at changes in service uptake and coverage, as well in knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards HPV vaccination and integrated services. At endline, up to 132 in-depth interviews will be conducted with program managers, health officials, service providers, school authorities, community influencers and leaders, and adolescents and parents/caregivers will assess feasibility, acceptability and sustainability.

Inclusion Criteria for adolescents:

• Age: 9 to 15;
• Residence in the study regions;
• Parental or guardian permission is required;
• Provides assent and agrees to participate in the study.

Inclusion criteria for Parents/caregivers:

• Be the parent or legal guardian of an adolescent aged 9 to 15 years;
• Residence in the study regions;
• Provides informed consent and agrees to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• People who have time constraints;
• those who do not speak French or the prominent dialects in study regions;
• those unable to participate because ill, intoxicated or appearing psychologically impaired;
• those residing outside study health regions;
• those who do not provide consent/assent to participate.