IMPACT OF IMMUNOBIOLOGICALS AGAINST HPV ON THE OUTCOME OF MALIGNANT NEOPLASM OF THE CERVIX IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Cervical cancer is an important public health issue, associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in Brazil and worldwide. Infection with oncogenic subtypes of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the main risk factors for this neoplasm, which motivated the implementation of vaccination programs. This study aims to analyze the impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer morbidity and mortality in Brazil between 2011 and 2020. An ecological and time-series study was carried out using data from the Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Morbidity and mortality rates were adjusted for population density and age groups, and data were analyzed using the "R" program. Although no significant correlation was found between vaccination and morbidity, the negative relationship between vaccination coverage and mortality suggests a protective effect of immunization, corroborating the literature that highlights the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing this cancer. These results reinforce the need to intensify vaccination campaigns as a crucial strategy for reducing mortality from cervical cancer in Brazil, highlighting, however, that other factors such as access to health services also influence outcomes.