Description
Maureen Kangee,1 Valerian Mwenda,2 Laura Boonstoppel,3 Felix Murira 4
Senior Program Analyst, ThinkWell, Nairobi Kenya
Senior Technical Advisor, ThinkWell, Nairobi, Kenya
Senior Program Manager and Health Economist
Country Director, ThinkWell, Nairobi Kenya
Background
Vaccination coverage against human papillomavirus (HPV) in Kenya remains low, despite evidence of its cost-effectiveness as a public health intervention. We sought to understand the policy bottlenecks hindering progress of HPV vaccination program in Kenya as part of development of a National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan.
Methods
Twelve institutions with the highest involvement in HPV vaccination were selected for key informant interviews. Further, eight counties, four with the highest and four with the lowest HPV vaccination coverage levels were selected for group discussions (GD). Each GD, guided by the nominal group technique, had 4 participants, a moderator, and a recorder. Discussions were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed
Results and Discussion
Kenya’s immunization policy targets a single age cohort despite low coverage. School–based delivery doesn’t reach all schools, since school–facility networks are weak, and counties rarely budget for them. Out-of-school girls are not included in micro plans. HPV vaccination is poorly integrated into school health and child services. With global funding cuts, HPV vaccine risks deprioritization. Although HPV vaccination is covered under Social Health Insurance, reimbursement favors facilities, disadvantaging school outreaches. Men are not sufficiently aware of HPV vaccination.
Conclusion
For effective HPV vaccination, Kenya should target on 9–14-year cohort, link all schools to facilities, boost domestic funding for outreaches, plan for out-of-school girls, integrate services, advocate for reimbursement for school-based care and involve men
Key Words: policy , service level, bottlenecks, HPV vaccination
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) |
| Received a Grant? | No |
