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  • Academic
    edoigho@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: School of Medicine Position: Graduate, Medicine

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  • Mail Code: 5151

All Publications

  • Effect of a comic book-based educational intervention on human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and safety perception among girls aged 9-14 in Nigeria. Vaccine Dickerson, J. C., Adeyemo, P., Kim, N., Ighodaro, E., Ibeka, P., Fasawe, O., Chege, M. W., Warshaw, K. G., Aliyu, L., Craycroft, J., Huang, F. W., Giwa, O., Bhatt, A. S. 2026; 93: 129194

    Abstract

    Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death for women and is preventable with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and regular screening. However, awareness of vaccines and screenings is poor in many low- and middle-income countries. In 2023, Nigeria sought to deliver 15 million doses of the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9-14. Within this vaccination campaign, we studied the effect of a comic book educational intervention on knowledge and perception of HPV, cervical cancer, and vaccine safety in girls eligible for the vaccine.This single-arm study evaluated the effect of a bundled educational intervention on HPV knowledge and safety perception. The three-part intervention was a schoolwide assembly and lecture for children using a culturally tailored comic book as a guide, distribution of the comic book to all the children at the school and then separate focus groups with adult community leaders. The primary outcome was the change in the HPV knowledge score in girls aged 9-14 six weeks post-intervention. Exploratory outcomes were the differential effect of low versus high baseline knowledge, vaccine safety perception, and change in vaccine receipt status at the class level.We found significant gains in knowledge across all four states (n = 396; p < 0.01). Classes with lower baseline knowledge gained more from the intervention (p < 0.01). Perception of vaccine safety increased from 62% to 81% (p < 0.01). We did not find a relationship between increased learning and vaccination receipt (p = 0.16).Awareness and positive perception of the safety of the HPV vaccine increased following an educational comic book intervention in girls aged 9-14 across Nigeria. Comics may be a low-cost, scalable, and culturally adaptable tool for health education.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.129194

    View details for PubMedID 42832933

  • Improving human papillomavirus vaccine uptake in low- and middle-income countries: a narrative review of implementation and education strategies. BMC global and public health Kim, N., Ighodaro, E., Temple, M., Cleveland, A., Kc, D., Dickerson, J. C. 2026; 4 (1)

    Abstract

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a safe and cost-effective strategy for preventing cervical cancer, yet uptake remains low worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Numerous interventional studies in LMICs have attempted to improve vaccine uptake or knowledge, with mixed success. In this narrative review, we synthesize the evidence on implementation and education strategies and highlight best practices to guide future vaccination efforts. School-based vaccination programs have the strongest evidence for achieving high coverage, but alternative approaches are required to reach out-of-school youth and high-risk adult populations. While access to the HPV vaccine remains the most critical determinant of uptake, coupling this with education and awareness campaigns is essential to drive uptake. The most effective educational strategies are culturally adapted and grounded in learning theory. Overall, the evidence suggests that simply providing the HPV vaccine along with culturally relevant education will lead to broad vaccine acceptance across most populations. Future research should prioritize rigorous evaluation of unique educational and implementation strategies, such as mother-daughter approaches or culture-specific educational formats, with a focus on quantifying the impact these strategies have on endline vaccination status and not surrogate outcomes. Such studies will advance the evidence base, strengthen HPV vaccination strategies, and help reduce the global burden of HPV-associated cancers.

    View details for DOI 10.1186/s44263-026-00269-8

    View details for PubMedID 42050726

    View details for PubMedCentralID 11305207