Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Adoption of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine among Females in Kwara State

Abstract

Cervical cancer, though preventable, is a disease caused by infection with high-risk strains of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Adoption of cancer preventing activity such as the uptake of the HPV vaccine is essential for limiting incidences of cervical cancer globally. This study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitude and adoption of the HPV vaccine among females in Kwara state of North Central Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 400 females from sixteen local government areas in Kwara State was used. Data were obtained and presented by simple descriptive statistics using tables and charts. Stepwise regression were used to test the correlation between the sociodemographic variables and acceptance of HPV vaccination. The study showed that 351(87.8%) out of the 400 female respondents were not knowledgeable about the HPV, while 49(12.2%) persons were knowledgeable of the HPV. The 49 persons that are aware, got the information from print media 17(35%), broadcast 20 (41%) health personnel's 12 (24%). 87% of those aware of HPV, know that it is transmitted sexually. However, only 31 (63%) of these 49 respondents which is equivalent to 8% of the total study participants were aware of the existence of the HPV vaccines. Therefore, we can conclude that the female in Kwara state have little knowledge about the HPV and HPV vaccine. Also from the regression analysis, the study showed that factors such as educational background, marital status and religion had p-values of (0.562, 0.08, 0.104) which is greater than α=0.05 and so influenced the adoption of the HPV vaccine.