Last week, two NGOs teamed up to enlighten girls and their mothers on the deadly HPV. Reporter, REGINA WHENU, who was at the event, writes that it was an eye opener for the participants
The need to tame or even prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes death among girls and women has again been brought to the fore with ‘Girls Date with Mum’. The programme aims at enlightening the girl child, as she is most susceptible to the virus.
Chosen Vessels Foundation (CVF) organised the programme in collaboration with Lagos Empowerment and Resources Network (LEARN), a pet project of Lagos State first lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, at the Blue Roof hall of Lagos Television (LTV).
Guest speakers at the event included family physician and CVF consultant, Dr. Abiodun Abiodun; etiquette tutor, Mrs. Iyabo Ladipo; and founder of CVF, Pastor (Mrs.) Adebola Atoyebi.
Dr. Abiodun, while educating the girls and mothers about HPV, stated that the disease, which happens in almost 75 per cent countries of the world, affects both men and women.
According to her, about 500,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer every year, which is caused by HPV.
She also revealed that three out of four people, male and female, have HPV, with most of them being ignorant that they are infected.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, mostly transmitted through sexual intercourse and infect the genitals.
“Some sexually-transmitted HPV cause genital warts that naturally go away,” said to Dr. Abiodun.
There are low and high risk HPV, according to the expert. “Low risk HPV develops into warts. Low risk warts are very common with those who have sexual intercourse at a very early stage, and it can be caught through kissing.
While condom use is 99 per cent effective in preventing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it is just 50 per cent in the case of HPV.
Low risk HPVs is not known to cause cervical cancer. It can, however, cause genital warts or very minor cell changes on the cervix.
“A wart is typically a small growth that appears on a person’s hands, feet, or mouth and looks like a solid blister or a small cauliflower. The virus causes keratin – a hard protein on the top layer of the skin – to grow too fast. They may also appear in other parts of the body.
“There are more than a dozen types of “high-risk” HPV that can cause abnormal cells to form on the cervix. These abnormal cell changes may gradually develop into cervical cancer, if not removed. Many times, these infected cells are recognised by the immune system and removed. But sometimes, however, these infected cells are not destroyed, and a tenacious infection results. As the persistently infected cells continue to grow, they may develop alterations that promote even more cell growth, leading to the formation of a high-grade cut and, ultimately, a cancer,” Dr. Abiodun said.
As most people with HPV may not show any sign or symptom, Dr. Abiodun stated that the only test that reveals the virus is the papanicolaou (pap smear) test.
The test is used to detect potentially pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the endo-cervical canal of the female reproductive system. Unusual findings are often followed up by more sensitive diagnostic procedures, and, if necessary, interventions that aim to prevent progression to cervical cancer.
HPV is the only virus that can be prevented through immunisation. Abstinence is also key.
Iyabo Ladipo, who tutored the girls on etiquette, spoke on respectable and acceptable ways of behaviour, adding that every girl child should behave appropriately in public.
“As a girl, you should learn to always say ‘please’, ‘thank you’, and ‘sorry’. Do not talk when you have food in your mouth; do not chew gum in public; do not scratch in public; do not stretch in public; do not stick your fingers in your nose and ear; do not scratch or hit your head in public; and do not cheat.
“You should be disciplined. Do not expose your body unduly. Putting on tight clothes shows that you are sexually available; so you should wear clothes that cover (conceal) your body.
The way we dress should show that we respect ourselves,” she said.
Earlier, the girls also listened to an audio presentation of Dr. Myles Munroe on how to be prosperous in life, where he listed key points to success to include purpose, passion, planning, principle, people or friends.
Participants, many of whom claimed not to have heard about the virus before, were full of praises for the organisers.
While 14-year-old Damilola Ogundare revealed that she learnt, among other things, another good reason to abstain from sex, and how to dress well, 15-year-old Aminat Fagbenro reportedly learnt how to be successful in life and how act like a lady in public.
Over 500 girls, accompanied by their mothers, attended the event.