Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41724945›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Perceptions of a gender-neutral approach to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Cameroon: a qualitative study.

Shariffatou Iliassu, Clarence Mbanga, Michael Budzi Ngenge, Shalom Ndoula, Andreas Ateke Njoh, Bridget C Griffith, Sonali Patel, Navpreet Singh, Daniel Nebongo, Emilienne Carine Bieme-Ndi and 5 more

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PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Shariffatou IliassuClinton Health Access Initiative, Tsinga Sous- Prefecture, HS Jean Paul II Boulevard, Yaounde, Cameroon. siliassu@clintonhealthaccess.org.
Clarence MbangaClinton Health Access Initiative, Tsinga Sous- Prefecture, HS Jean Paul II Boulevard, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Michael Budzi NgengeClinton Health Access Initiative, Tsinga Sous- Prefecture, HS Jean Paul II Boulevard, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Shalom NdoulaExpanded Program on Immunization, P.O. Box 2084, Messa, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Andreas Ateke NjohExpanded Program on Immunization, P.O. Box 2084, Messa, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Bridget C GriffithAnalytics and Implementations Research Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
Sonali PatelGlobal Vaccines Delivery Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
Navpreet SinghGlobal Vaccines Delivery Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
Daniel NebongoExpanded Program on Immunization, P.O. Box 2084, Messa, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Emilienne Carine Bieme-NdiClinton Health Access Initiative, Tsinga Sous- Prefecture, HS Jean Paul II Boulevard, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Njike Sibenu DerrickClinton Health Access Initiative, Tsinga Sous- Prefecture, HS Jean Paul II Boulevard, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Shadrack MngemaneGlobal Vaccines Delivery Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
Tosin AjayiGlobal Vaccines Delivery Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
Laure Anais ZultakGlobal Vaccines Delivery Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Suite 400, Boston, MA, 02127, USA.
Yauba SaiduClinton Health Access Initiative, Tsinga Sous- Prefecture, HS Jean Paul II Boulevard, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCameroon’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) introduced the HPV vaccine into the routine immunization schedule in Cameroon in October 2020. However, coverage for this vaccine was just 20% by December 2022, prompting the government to adopt and implement a gender-neutral vaccination (GNV) from January 2023. The goal was to increase acceptance, reduce stigma, and improve vaccine coverage. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of key immunization stakeholders in Cameroon on the GNV approach to HPV vaccination.

methodA qualitative study was conducted from June to September 2024 using in-depth and semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders (policymakers, community leaders, and parents of girls aged 9–13 years) across three regions (South-West, North, and Centre) and the central level. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, with manuscripts coded manually and managed using NVivo software to identify key themes. The research team ensured reliability through consensus discussions, and key quotes illustrating central findings were identified.

resultsA total of 51 participants were interviewed. Participants observed that the inclusion of boys in the HPV vaccination program contributed to a positive shift in community perceptions, dispelled misconceptions, instilled a sense of equity to healthcare access, and enhanced overall vaccine acceptance. However, challenges related to limited resources, lingering misinformation, and hesitancy from parents, religious leaders, and healthcare workers hindered the effective implementation of the GNV approach. Participants emphasized the need for improved partnerships, sensitization strategies, integration with existing health programs, and sustained funding to enhance community understanding and increase vaccination uptake.

conclusionOverall, stakeholders viewed the GNV approach as effective for improving HPV vaccine acceptability and promoting equity but emphasized the need for continuous investments and stronger community engagement to address challenges like limited resources, misinformation, and hesitancy.

Indexed as

Immunization ProgramsPapillomavirus InfectionsPapillomavirus VaccinesVaccinationAdolescentCameroonChildFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansInterviews as TopicMaleParentsQualitative ResearchPapillomavirus VaccinesCameroonGender-Neutral VaccinationHuman Papilloma VirusVaccination

Identifiers

PMID41724945
PMCPMC13037256

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.