title: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage Among School Girls in a Demonstration Project - Botswana, 2013.
abstract: What is already known on this topic? Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common and aggressive in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). With an HIV prevalence of 28% among females aged 15–49, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Botswana. Before 2013, HPV vaccine had not been used in the public sector in Botswana.What is added by this report? Efforts to expand services for cervical cancer through the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative focused on HPV-related disease in Botswana. A demonstration project for HPV vaccination was developed by the Ministry of Health for school girls aged ≥9 years in primary schools in one community. A total of 1,967 (79%) of 2,488 eligible girls received 3 doses of vaccine in the immunization effort that was centered in schools.What are the implications for public health practice? Preventing HPV infection in girls is an important component of a national comprehensive cervical cancer control program. HPV vaccination programming is challenging, and demonstration projects can prepare countries for national introduction. The success of the initial HPV vaccination effort in Botswana led to an expanded project in 2014, with implementation of nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine in 2015. It might be beneficial for future HPV vaccination campaigns to include strategies to reach out-of-school girls.
authors.forename: Mmakgomo Mimi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Raesima
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Forhan
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Voetsch
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hariri
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: Mpho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Letebele
authors.forename: Tlhomamo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pheto
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramogola-Masire
authors.forename: Shenaaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El-Halabi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001902:Botswana; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines