Knowledge, Perception and Uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination among Female Undergraduates in a Nigerian Private University

Okoro NE; Nwajei CC; Atolagbe OJ; Obodoukwu CV; Obiekwe KV; Olawunmi OA; Omotosho AY; Adefala NO; Osinaike AO; Odiari OA; Adedokun AS

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i2.1064

Authors

Okoro NE Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5935-1129
Nwajei CC Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Atolagbe OJ Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Obodoukwu CV Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Obiekwe KV Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Olawunmi OA Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Omotosho AY Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Adefala NO Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Osinaike AO Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Odiari OA Department of Community Medicine, Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Adedokun AS School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i2.1064

Keywords:

HPV, Vaccination, Female, Undergraduates, Knowledge, Perception, Uptake

Abstract

Context: Nigeria had a cervical cancer incidence rate of 26.2 cases per 100, 000 women as of 2022. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is responsible for over 99% of cervical cancer cases, and vaccination is safe and effective for its prevention and control.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, perception, and uptake of HPV vaccination among female undergraduates of Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with 300 female undergraduates. The instrument was a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Univariate analysis was used to present the knowledge, perception and uptake of HPV vaccination, as well as the reasons for non-vaccination (barriers); while bivariate analysis (Chi-Square) was used to test for associations. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Majority (82%) of the respondents hmd good knowledge of the HPV vaccination, while 57.7% had good perception of the HPV vaccination. However, only 17.7% of respondents had been vaccinated, and only 2% had completed 3 doses of the vaccine. Barriers to vaccination were non-availability (26.7%), cost (24.3%) and safety concern (22.3%). The level of study was significantly associated with the knowledge (p=0.027), perception (p<0.001) and uptake of the HPV vaccination (p=0.003), while age was significantly associated with the knowledge (p=0.045) and perception of HPV vaccination (p=0.043).

Conclusion: The knowledge and perception of the HPV vaccination among the participants were good and fair respectively, but the uptake was low. There is a need for sustained health education, availability and affordability of the HPV vaccines.