THE Asia-Oceania Research Organisation in Genital Infection and Neoplasia (AOGIN) presented Brunei Darussalam with a recognition of effort for our school-based Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination programme during the recent AOGIN Congress 2016 held in Singapore from August 12 – 14.
AOGIN is an expert multi-disciplinary group within the region that aims to reduce the burden of disease caused by reproductive tract infections, especially HPV, in the Asia, Oceania and Pacific region.
This recognition reflects Brunei Darussalam’s commitment in reducing the i=ncidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in the country, which is the third highest cause of cancer death amongst women in Brunei.
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by HPV infection, and it can be prevented through HPV vaccination (primary prevention – protection against HPV infection that causes cervical cancer) and Pap test screening (secondary prevention – early detection of pre-cancerous lesions).
The HPV Vaccination Programme, which is one of the initiatives under the National Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Programme, was initiated on January 16, 2012 in all four districts.
Since then, the programme is run annually, and is delivered by the Division of School Health Services with the help of nurses from various departments in the Ministry of Health.
The target group of the programme is Year 7 female students in all secondary schools nationwide. A catch-up programme for Year 11 female students was also conducted from the year 2012-2015. The vaccinations are given on voluntary basis and written parental consent is required.
Dr Siti Rosemawati binti Haji Mohd Yussof, Senior Medical Officer, Head of School Health Services Divi-sion (left), with Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Gharif, Medical Superintendent Community Health, Ministry of Health.
The HPV vaccinations are given in three doses and the coverage for the programme for the three doses has been consistently high and is comparable to other countries like Australia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
For the year 2012, the coverage for the three doses is 88 per cent. This number is slowly increasing and in 2015 the coverage for the three doses is nearly 92 per cent.
The cooperation and high commitment of many stakeholders, not just within the Ministry of Health but also outside the ministry, have enabled the success and smooth implementation of the programme.
The Ministry of Health has taken the opportunity to thank everyone, including the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs, for their support and dedication in the implementation and smooth running of this programme.
This year, the dosage of the vaccine has been changed from three doses to two doses for female aged less than 15 years, and is remained the same for female aged 15 years and above, following the recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO).
With this, the Ministry of Health would like to take the opportunity to advise parents and guardians to consent to their female children receiving the HPV vaccines.
Whilst this vaccine is most effective if given to young females, it can also be given to female up to the age of 45 years. However, female in these age groups, regular Pap test screening is more important in preventing cervical cancer.
In Brunei, Pap test screening is offered to sexually active female aged 20-65 years every three years. Any female in this age group that has not done Pap test screening or has missed the three-year interval are recommended to go to their area health centres/clinics to have their Pap test done soon.
With these efforts, it is hoped that the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer can be reduced.
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