Awareness of human papilloma virus among the residents Of Abduba Estate, Thika west sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is of a great public health concern as it is a highly prevalent, sexually transmitted infection  known to cause ill health and mortalities in the general public as it infects both men and women.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness of HPV and its associated factors.
Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires among members of family of the 200  households in Abduba Estate, Kiambu County. Participants included all family members of both gender male/female of eighteen years  and above selected using census mode of data collection. The primary outcome measure was HPV awareness.
Results: Majority of the respondents 156 (52%) were females while 144 (48%) were males. On the age distribution of the respondents,  majority 146 (48.50%) were aged between 18 and 28 years and the least 32 (10.63%) were aged above 49 years. On marital status,  majority 166 (55.33%) were married and the least 4 (1.33%) were widowed. Majority of the respondents 143 (47.67%) had low awareness,  119 (39.67%) had medium awareness and 38 (12.67%) had high awareness.
Conclusion: HPV awareness among the study population was very low. We recommend interventions in to increase knowledge about  cervical cancer and HPV vaccines.