Knowledge, Perception and Uptake of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Among Secondary School Adolescents in Makurdi, Benue State

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among Nigerian women and is regarded as a major public health concern worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the cause of cancer in women by generating malignant changes in the cervix. The HPV vaccine is already available to prevent it, but its use is limited. The study aimed to determine the knowledge, perception, and uptake of the human papillomavirus vaccine among adolescent females in selected secondary schools in Makurdi, Benue State. The study was a cross-sectional study done in secondary schools in Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 363 secondary school girls who participated in the study. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires, was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, and presented in tables. The study revealed that the majority of the girls were between 13 and 16 years. A vast majority (62.3%) had poor knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, more than half also had poor perception of the vaccine (51.5%), and the uptake of the vaccine was significantly low (5.5%). The knowledge, perception, and uptake of the HPV vaccine among secondary school girls is low. The government should make efforts to improve the awareness and uptake of the vaccine to ensure Nigeria reduces the incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer.