Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41778439›Full record

ArticleGlobal health action2026

A missed opportunity: faith leaders and the HPV vaccination effort in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Wosene Berhanu, Simon Yigremachew, Claudia Hanson, Helena Avermark, Adamu Addissie, Sibylle Herzig van Wees

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Global health action, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Wosene BerhanuDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0009-0009-4131-4798
Simon YigremachewSchool of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Claudia HansonDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0001-8066-7873
Helena AvermarkDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0009-0008-8429-1744
Adamu AddissieSchool of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Sibylle Herzig van WeesDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0002-5270-1170

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCervical cancer causes morbidity and mortality among women worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is crucial for cervical cancer prevention, yet the vaccination rates remain suboptimal in Ethiopia. Studies identified cultural and religious factors as key barriers. While evidence suggests that faith leaders can effectively promote public health interventions, their potential role in HPV vaccination efforts has largely been overlooked and remains inadequately understood.

objectiveThis study aimed to explore the perspectives of faith leaders in Addis Ababa to identify factors influencing HPV vaccination among girls.

methodsThis study employed qualitative methods, using in-depth interviews with purposively selected faith leaders. The faith leaders employed by the Inter-Religious Counsel of Ethiopia (IRCE) were excluded. A total of 13 faith leaders participated in the interviews. The 5C framework informed the data collection tool, and data analysis was conducted using inductive reflexive thematic analysis (RTA).

resultFaith leaders are navigating between modern medicine and their religious beliefs, face distrust of Western vaccine aid intentions and local HPV vaccine providers, and receive fragmented or inconsistent information. These challenges make it difficult for them to act as champions for the vaccination, but with clear, well-organized information, there is an opportunity to involve them more effectively.

conclusionFaith leaders face several challenges that limit their role in promoting HPV vaccination. This study recommends providing clear, culturally relevant materials and communication strategies to support faith leaders and their communities. With these tools, faith leaders have the opportunity to engage and become effective advocates for the elimination of cervical cancer.

Indexed as

Papillomavirus InfectionsPapillomavirus VaccinesUterine Cervical NeoplasmsVaccinationAdolescentAdultEthiopiaFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHuman Papillomavirus VirusesHumansInterviews as TopicLeadershipQualitative ResearchVaccination HesitancyPapillomavirus Vaccineschange agentsfaith leadershealth informationHPV vaccine communicationVaccine hesitancy

Identifiers

PMID41778439
PMCPMC12961706

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.