Challenges and Opportunities for Cervical Cancer Prevention Through HPV Vaccination in Ghana: A Public Health Policy Analysis
Introduction
Cervical cancer constitutes a critical public health challenge in Ghana, with high morbidity and mortality despite the global availability of effective prophylactic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. This study examines the policy discourse surrounding the implementation of a nationwide HPV vaccination program in Ghana, analyzes stakeholders’ perspectives on programmatic promotion, and assesses the extent of institutional prioritization.
Methods
Eight key informant interviews were thematically analyzed using NVivo; and a cross-sectional online survey of 215 participants was descriptively analyzed using SPSS.
Results
Thematic analysis of interviews revealed core policy challenges: weak prioritization, inadequate resource allocation, and policy framings that lacked discourse on the right to health. Survey data demonstrated marked improvement in HPV awareness (76.6%) and substantial interest in vaccination (64.2%), suggesting a shifting public health landscape influenced by media engagement and growing health literacy.
Conclusion
Findings underscore insufficient prioritization stalled the institutionalization of a national cervical cancer prevention strategy creating a critical implementation gap. However, the relatively late average age of sexual debut offers a strategic window for effective HPV vaccine delivery. Importantly, the convergence of increased public awareness, heightened receptivity to vaccination, and the availability of external funding mechanisms, such as support from Gavi, presents a timely and actionable opportunity for policy advancement. This study highlights the imperative for renewed governmental commitment to cervical cancer prevention, emphasizing the imperative to operationalize HPV vaccination as a core component of Ghana’s public health infrastructure.