Superstitions on Human Papillomavirus in Africa: A Scoping Review

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer, with Africa bearing a significant disease burden. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, superstitions and misinformation hinder HPV vaccine uptake, contributing to high mortality rates. This scoping review examines superstitious beliefs and misconceptions surrounding HPV and its vaccine in Africa, their cultural and social underpinnings, and their impact on public health interventions.

Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework, this review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and systematically analyzed literature obtained from nine databases. Seventeen studies, involving 2516 participants from seven African countries, met the inclusion criteria. We analyzed the data using thematic synthesis, and patterns such as superstitions, community narratives, and vaccine hesitancy were identified.

Findings indicate widespread misconceptions, including beliefs that HPV is caused by curses, exposure to sunlight, or spiritual forces. Superstitions that link HPV vaccination to infertility, chronic diseases, and depopulation conspiracies are prevalent. Traditional and religious leaders played a critical role in shaping public perception, perpetuating mistrust in HPV vaccines.

Superstitions reduce HPV vaccine acceptance and increase cervical cancer risks. Targeted health education, community engagement, and culturally sensitive interventions are crucial to dispelling myths and improving vaccine uptake in Africa.