Enhancing HPV Vaccine Awareness and Acceptance in High School Students Using Social Cognitive Theory

Project Title: Enhancing HPV Vaccine Awareness and Acceptance in High School Students Using Social Cognitive Theory Project Duration: 1 academic year Location: Local schools in Almaty, Kazakhstan 2. Specific Aims The prevalence of HPV infection in Kazakhstan is still a serious public health issue, and teenagers' low vaccination rates are a result of pervasive false information, cultural stigma, and a lack of knowledge of the vaccine's advantages. Preventable malignancies and other disorders linked to HPV are exacerbated by these restrictions. Students in high school, a crucial group for immunization, frequently base their decisions on peer pressure and social comparison. A promising way to address these problems is to use a theory-based intervention that capitalizes on peer pressure. Based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this initiative intends to remove obstacles and encourage social and behavioral change in order to raise high school students' understanding and acceptance of the HPV vaccine in Almaty, Kazakhstan. SCT provides a perfect foundation for peer-led intervention because it places a strong emphasis on observational learning, self-efficacy, and reinforcement. This initiative will assist overcome vaccination reluctance and encourage healthy habits by giving children the information and abilities they need to make wise decisions.