Sub-Saharan Africa faces a significant challenge with the high incidence of cervical cancer, exacerbated by the persistent prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), even with effective vaccines available. According to the Vaccine Confidence Report by MSD, a concerning 71% of participants in South Africa expressed reluctance towards receiving HPV vaccines. This hesitancy poses a major obstacle in combating the disease, which is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 94% of cervical cancer deaths globally occur in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa being disproportionately affected. Research indicates that approximately 24% of women in sub-Saharan Africa with normal cervical cytology have an HPV infection, compared to a global rate of 12%. Young women under 25 are particularly vulnerable, with an HPV infection rate of 43.9% in Africa, significantly higher than the global rate of 19.2%.

Vaccine hesitancy, characterized by a delay in acceptance or outright refusal of vaccines, is driven by factors such as misinformation, distrust in healthcare systems, and cultural beliefs. Professor Hannelie Meyer, Head of the South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, emphasizes that despite scientific evidence supporting vaccine safety and efficacy, many individuals still perceive vaccines as dangerous. This perception is fueled by misinformation, particularly through social media channels, which undermines trust in immunization initiatives.

A study published in Scientific Reports highlighted variations in vaccine hesitancy across six sub-Saharan African nations, with South Africa showing the highest rate at 17.15% and Kenya the lowest at 8.3%. Shifting global priorities and economic challenges have also led to decreased funding for vaccination programs, compromising access in low-income areas. Dr. Alima Essoh, Regional Director of the Preventive Medicine Agency for Africa (AMP Africa), warns that disrupting routine immunization initiatives risks reversing years of progress.

Addressing vaccine hesitancy requires innovative, community-led solutions. Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, from Makerere University, suggests engaging resources like comic books and school-based vaccination programs to increase vaccine uptake among youth. Reminder systems, such as SMS notifications and automated calls, can also help ensure adolescents complete their HPV vaccination series. A collaborative effort involving governments, healthcare professionals, civil society, and the private sector is essential to enhance health communication, build trust through local collaborations, and tailor outreach methods to effectively reach communities.

The WHO aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2030, targeting a 90% HPV vaccination rate for girls by age 15. Professor Meyer cautions that vaccine hesitancy jeopardizes this objective and threatens broader immunization campaigns for other preventable diseases. Over in China, a study by the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals that excessive short video consumption negatively impacts sleep and academic performance among teenagers and college students, and affects sleep quality and energy levels in working adults. With 95.5% of China's internet users engaging with short videos, overuse and potential addiction are growing concerns.

The Chinese study, based on 130,000 participants, found that students spend over 90 minutes daily on short videos, college students nearly 180 minutes, and working adults about 140 minutes. Heavy usage correlates with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms. Guo Fei, an assistant professor at the institute, recommends teenagers limit short video use to under 30 minutes a day, while adults may benefit from 30 minutes to an hour, but should ideally stay under an hour. Alternative stress-relief habits and face-to-face interactions are also encouraged.

The broader survey, involving over 170,000 participants, indicated that being married, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly are associated with a lower risk of depressive condition, while working over 10 hours a day and frequent online shopping are contributing risk factors. Addressing vaccine hesitancy in Africa and managing short video consumption in China are critical public health challenges requiring multifaceted and collaborative approaches.