Knowledge, awareness and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine among adolescent girls in Owerri west, imo state, Nigeria

Abstract

 Background: Human papillomavirus is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and causes precancerous lesions that may progress to cervical cancer which is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, awareness and uptake of HPV vaccine among adolescent girls in Owerri West, Imo State, Nigeria

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used to explore the knowledge, awareness, and uptake of HPV vaccine. The study included 424 adolescent girls between the ages of 9 to 20 years selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 23). Descriptive statistics was employed and chi-square test was used to explore associations.

Results: The study revealed a very low knowledge of HPV infection and only 4.2% of the 424 respondents were aware of the vaccine, out of which only 0.9% uptake was recorded. There was a significant relationship between parent’s educational level and knowledge of HPV infection. Notably, respondents whose parents were professionals showed higher knowledge and awareness of HPV infection.

Conclusion: There was poor knowledge and awareness of HPV infection amongst adolescent girls in Owerri West, Nigeria and therefore suggest that an intensive health promotion program to raise awareness about the existence of HPV vaccines and its uptake should be promoted in all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Owerri West and the entire country.