Human Papilloma Virus Transmission: Knowledge and Uptake of HPV Vaccine among In-school Adolescent Girls in South-South Nigeria

Background: HPV infection is the most common STI in sexually active adolescents. It has been implicated in majority of cases of cervical cancers. HPV is preventable. Potent Vaccines are available.

Objective: This study assessed what adolescents know about HPV infection and HPV vaccination, their attitude and uptake of HPV vaccine. This was also to raise awareness and obtain data that will be useful in identifying where to intervene to improve coverage.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study tool was a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit adolescent girls from secondary schools.

Results: 445 in-school adolescent girls aged 9 to 19 years participated. Mean age was 13.4 SD = ±2.2 years. 36.6% and 36.8% had heard of HPV infection and HPV vaccine respectively. Only 3.1% of the participants knew HPV could be prevented through vaccination. 71.7% indicated willingness to obtain the vaccine. Only 3.6% self reported to have received at least one dose of the vaccine at the time of the survey. Uptake of HPV vaccine (P=0.00), willingness to be vaccinated (P=0.005) highest among adolescents that had heard of HPV vaccine and those who perceived themselves to be at risk for HPV infection (P=0.005). Insufficient health information, cost of HPV vaccines identified as key barriers to vaccines utilization.

Conclusion: Notwithstanding the low level of knowledge about HPV infection and HPV vaccines willingness to be vaccinated was high. Our study shows that uptake of vaccination is low in our locality.