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Apr 18, 2019Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Awareness and attitude of female undergraduates toward human papillomavirus vaccine in Ibadan
Abstract
Introduction: The human papillomavirus (HPV) has significant public health importance because of its high prevalence, mode of transmission, major causative role in cervical cancer, and having effective vaccines. The main thrust of this study was to ascertain the level of awareness of HPV and its vaccines among students as well as their attitudes toward receiving the vaccines.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross‑sectional survey conducted among female undergraduates of the University of Ibadan using structured self‑administered questionnaires. The questionnaires sought to obtain information about their awareness of HPV, their sexual behavior, previous vaccination, and willingness to access HPV vaccination.
Results: A total of 489 students, with a mean age of 19.7 ± 3.2 years, satisfactorily responded to the survey. Overall, 411 (84%) had an overall good knowledge about vaccines, 218 (44.6%) recalled that they had been previously vaccinated in childhood, and 147 (30.1%) were aware of HPV. Only 66 (13.5%) were aware of HPV vaccines, and 10 (2%) had ever been vaccinated against HPV. A majority were willing to get vaccinated if the current price is further reduced.
Conclusion: There is a low level of awareness of HPV and its vaccines among female undergraduates. When available, uptake is restricted by cost. There is an urgent need to support public health programs that increase awareness through adequate information dissemination on mechanisms of cancer prevention and also to strengthen policy efforts that address the barriers of HPV vaccination.
Key words: Awareness; cervical cancer; female students; human papillomavirus; vaccines.
