MDF resumes its school-based Intervention activities with a visit to the Government Secondary school and community primary school, Akwa Ikot Effenga in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State. The pupils and students were sensitized on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, Malaria Prevention and Menstrual Hygiene with the distribution of free sanitary pads and writing materials .

HPV is an infection that causes warts in various parts of the human body especially, in the genital area, depending on the strains. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections leading to cancer of the cervix. Over 1.5 million cases are found in Nigeria each year. HPV is transmitted from person to person through unprotected sexual intercourse. Symptoms may include warts on the genitals or surrounding skin. The virus can be prevented through abstinence from sex and the vaccination of the HPV vaccine. Emphasis was laid on the uptake of the vaccine for girls between the ages of 9-14 years.

Other awareness messages targeted at the audience include; Malaria control and prevention with a focus on children under five, menstrual and personal hygiene awareness and practices. 120 Female pupils and students received a pack of sanitary pads each and 86 male pupils and students received writing materials at the end awareness campaign.

The students and pupils expressed great pleasure in the impact and knowledge increase of the health awareness campaign. 100% of the students and pupils had before now not heard of HPV. For them, it was a great opportunity to be informed about HPV and its prevention and await the rollout of the Vaccine in Cross River State in February 2024 by the National Primary Health Care Agency.

The Head of School, Mrs Mediatrix Ujor on behalf of the school management expressed gratitude and satisfaction with the awareness and health education sessions, which will help the students make informed decisions, called for more visits to the school going forward. MDF remains resolute and continues to engage schools and communities on the awareness and sensitization of HPV and other health issues within its thematic areas, thereby reducing the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and mortality for improved health in Cross River State.