By Olawale Asake
As part of efforts to raise awareness about Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, a Team of Medical Practitioners known as HPV Consortium, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, has staged a road show within Ibadan Metropolis, to educate the public on the scourge of the virus.
The Road Show awareness, which began from the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, passed through the State Secretariat, Bodija Market and ended at the University of Ibadan, UI.
HPV, which is a sexually transmitted virus, affects both men and women, hence the need to raise awareness in the best interest of the people.
Speaking, the Lead Investigator, HPV Consortium and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ibadan, Imran Morhason-Bello explained that, the campaign became imperative to sensitise the public on the prevention, screening and vaccination for Human Papilloma Virus, HPV to reduce its spread in society.
Professor Morhason-Bello maintained that, persistence of high risk HPV could cause cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men, anal cancer, mouth and throat cancer in both men and women while low risk HPV could associate with Genital warts in both men and women.
He appealed to the public to visit HPV Office, College of Medicine inside UCH, Ibadan or call 0704700531 for screening or vaccination, stressing that, girls and boys between 9 and 14years old who are not yet sexually active are free to be vaccinated while those who have been sexually active would be subjected to screening to ascertain their HPV status.
Professor Morhason-Bello added that, HPV Consortium, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, also promotes therapeutic interventions and treatment to those who need them, while also contributing to public health efforts with a view to reducing the burden of HPV infections and associated cancers.
He called on women to go for regular HPV screening and tests for early detection to avoid cervical cancer.
Earlier, Professor Imran Morhason-Bello and some of the members of the Team were on the Radio Nigeria platform to further educate the public through the broadcast medium.
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