Awareness, knowledge and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine among female undergraduates in a University inSouthwestern, Nigeria
Authors: OLUWOLE Temitayo Oluwaseun
Journal: Journal Of Medical Research Practice
ISSN Number:
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Abstract
Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection globally. HPV-associated cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria. The HPV vaccine has been demonstrated to be highly effective against the HPV types implicated in 70% of cervical cancer cases. The HPV vaccine was approved in Nigeria in 2009. However, there have been reports of low vaccine uptake especially in young people.
Aim
This study sought to investigate the level of information regarding HPV infection, HPV vaccine and possible reasons for vaccine hesitancy among female undergraduate students in a University in Southwest, Nigeria.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 242 female undergraduate students of Babcock University, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, assess their knowledge of HPV infection and HPV vaccine, self-reported HPV vaccination status, and possible reasons for vaccine hesitancy.
Results
The majority, 68.2% and 64% of the participants had heard about HPV infection and HPV vaccine respectively. However, less than half of the participants knew the diseases associated with HPV, the occurrence of asymptomatic infection and the unavailability of a cure. Only 12.7% (n=29) reported that the vaccines are effective. Only 3.7% (n=9) of the participants had received HPV vaccine. No reason (41.8%), inadequate information about the vaccine (23.9%), and complications due to vaccination (16.4%) were some of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy.
Conclusion:
There was a low level of knowledge of HPV infection and HPV vaccine. Hence, educational intervention is crucial to improve the knowledge and attitude towards the HPV vaccine.
