[Note from HIFA moderator (Neil). Thank you so much Fatima for your valuable responses to my questions concerning your original post. It is so valuable to hear from those with experience and expertise in this topic. For each question below I have added [Fatima wrote:], [Neil asked:] and [Fatima replies:] to facilitate understanding for HIFA members. I urge all HIFA members to take a few minutes to read and digest Fatima's comments. To continue the discussion, please email: hifa@hifaforums.org]
[Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/first-ever-hpv-vaccination-campaign-pak... ]
Hi,
I have added the response to all the questions in this email.
1. [Fatima wrote:] "People believe in the bogus concepts and show resistance when someone tries to educate or make them aware." [Neil asked:] What are the main false beliefs that people have, and who is responsible for spreading this misinformation? In your experience, are these beliefs fixed, or can they be changed? How?
[Fatima replies:] In the case of the polio vaccine, the main false belief is that it can make male children infertile, and that’s why there are certain provinces where parents refuse to vaccinate their sons. While in the case of the HPV vaccine, many parents think that it will make their daughters infertile. There are many ways through which people believe in false information, such as they heard about it from their parents and grandparents and continue to believe that without trying to search for facts. Secondly, social media algorithms fuel these thoughts. When parents consume these anti-vaccine conspiracy theories on social media platforms, as bogus news is being circulated through certain groups in these platforms, and people comment, like, and share such voice messages, text messages, or videos (e.g., anti-vax theories).
I don’t believe these beliefs are fixed, as we can change them. For instance, if parents have seen the benefits of vaccines in their lives as they get vaccinated in their childhood, they don’t resist. But if parents were not vaccinated and didn’t catch the disease (the vaccine was made for) in their childhood, they use them as an example or an exceptional case and don’t vaccinate their children. Moreover, I won’t say it relies solely on parents’ education or socioeconomic status because there are many parents who didn’t attend school but want a bright and healthy future for their kids. To change people’s beliefs, we can use the successful stories as an example to change the belief, as millions of lives were saved due to the polio vaccine, and the same can happen with the HPV vaccine. We need to circulate the success stories in these platforms in the same way the rumours were spread.
2. [Fatima wrote:] "We need to emphasise polite educational ways, such as educating kids about health, even from kindergarten." [Neil asked:] Do you or other HIFA members have any experience with health education for very young children? I am aware of the work of Clare Hanbury, Children for Health, but I think this work is targeted at an older child group. With regards to education about the HPV vaccine, presumably a good age would be 1-2 years before the child is due to be vaccinated, so perhaps age 10-12?
[Fatima replies:] I have my childhood school experience where all of the students in the kids’ campus were educated about hygiene (washing hands before and after eating, after playing sports, and after using the washroom, etc.). Our principal also informed us about germs and how they can make us sick. So, I think that has played a huge role in my life. Secondly, sometimes, we used to get polio vaccine shots in school, as the parents and our school’s principal focused on children’s health. They used to inform us earlier about it, like what polio is and what can happen if you do not get the vaccine. It’s basically a leadership role where educational institutions, along with the health sector, can collaborate with each other to make the HPV vaccine campaign successful.
3. [Fatima wrote:] "There should be massive surveillance on social media on people who are spreading misinformation or disinformation, and their videos should be removed." [Neil asked:] Do you have any examples of this happening in Pakistan? Indeed, is it happening anywhere in the world, and if so, what are the consequences, positive or negative?
Fatima replies:] There are videos and posts circulated on social media that made me add the surveillance on social media, as most of the time, there are certain groups on social media who send a video/message/voice message, and people forward it in their circle as they think it is an informational video/message/voice message, and they share it with their loved ones. But due to continuous scrutiny and removing these things, we can minimise these rumours that act as a huge barrier in national and international efforts to save millions of lives.
Regards,
Fatima Anwar
Public Health Researcher
fatima370anwar@gmail.com
HIFA profile: Fatima Anwar is a Public Health Advocate at YOUNGO, Pakistan. Professional interests: Public health; Climate change; Tobacco control; NCDs; Maternal & Child health; Barriers & facilitators to water, sanitation & hygiene. fatima370anwar AT gmail.com