Promoting the HPV vaccine across the league of Arab states: A scoping review of interventions.

INTRODUCTION

This scoping review examined existing interventions designed to promote and educate about HPV vaccination in the league of Arab states (LAS).

METHODS

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and using a PICOS-informed approach, a comprehensive search was conducted across 16 databases to identify peer-reviewed intervention studies published between 2010 and August 2025.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions originated from Egypt and Saudi Arabia and were delivered in academic or clinical settings using short, didactic, one-group pre-post designs. Only a few studies incorporated behavioral theories, digital modalities, or multi-component strategies. Nearly all studies reported short-term improvements in HPV-related knowledge and attitudes, but few assessed behavioral intention, long-term retention, or actual vaccine uptake. No interventions targeted adolescents, fathers, or school communities, and only one study evaluated cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

The evidence demonstrates early progress in HPV vaccine education across the LAS but reveals substantial methodological, theoretical, and population-level gaps. Education alone produced limited behavioral change, underscoring the need for interventions that integrate system-level supports, provider engagement, and mechanisms for reinforcing behavior over time.

POLICY SUMMARY: HPV vaccine education efforts in the LAS show promise but remain fragmented, narrow in reach, and insufficient to meaningfully influence vaccination uptake. Future initiatives should prioritize theory-driven, multi-component approaches that engage families, adolescents, healthcare providers, and community structures. Regional collaboration and implementation research will be essential to strengthen HPV vaccination strategies and reduce the burden of cervical cancer across the LAS.