By Lucy Tian | GAIA VF Intern
In West Africa, about one in five people have HPV. Studies have found that this high prevalence is explained by the presence of many factors that increase chances of contracting HPV in Mali. Early sexual activities and pregnancies increase the propensity for contracting HPV, and this is a common occurrence in Mali as girls are often married off during childhood or young adulthood. Having multiple sexual partners also increase the chance of carrying and contracting HPV, and as polygamy is culturally practiced, this is a factor that increases the spread of HPV, Having underlying sexually transmitted diseases, which are also easily spread through multiple partners, also increase the likelihood of being susceptible to HPV.
As many of these factors are unlikely to disappear or change in the near future, it is crucial to provide HPV vaccinations to young girls and women in Mali. Prevention is a main pillar in GAIA VF’s mission - donate today to further the work!
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