KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND ACCEPTANCE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS VACCINATION AMONGST MOTHERS IN EGOR LGA
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Abstract
Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the principal causative agent of cervical cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Nigeria. Despite the availability of effective HPV vaccines, uptake among eligible girls remains unacceptably low, partly due to poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and low acceptance among mothers who serve as primary decision-makers for childhood immunization. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of HPV vaccination among mothers in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 mothers in Egor LGA, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, attitude towards HPV vaccination, acceptance of the HPV vaccine, and factors influencing acceptance. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorised as good (≥70%) or poor (<70%). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics, chi- square tests, and logistic regression were used as appropriate.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 37.41 ± 10.10 years, and the majority (43.2%) were in the 30–39 years age group. Most respondents (51.9%) had tertiary education, and 84.4% belonged to the middle socioeconomic class. Overall, 70.8% of respondents had previously heard of HPV, with hospitals and health centres being the most common source of information (52.0%). Only 53.0% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, while 81.0% had a positive attitude and 81.0% accepted or were willing to vaccinate their daughters. On multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of good knowledge were older age (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.010–1.051, p = 0.004) and higher educational attainment (p < 0.001). xvi Independent predictors of positive attitude were good knowledge (OR = 5.053, 95% CI: 2.807– 9.098, p < 0.001) and being ever-married (OR = 4.349, 95% CI: 1.368–13.824, p = 0.013). Positive attitude was the sole independent predictor of acceptance of HPV vaccination (OR = 5.003, 95% CI: 2.746–9.114, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite poor knowledge among the majority of respondents, attitudes towards and acceptance of HPV vaccination were high. Targeted health education programmes addressing the knowledge gap are essential to sustaining and translating positive attitudes into improved HPV vaccine uptake among eligible girls in Egor LGA and similar urban communities in Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 mothers in Egor LGA, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, attitude towards HPV vaccination, acceptance of the HPV vaccine, and factors influencing acceptance. Knowledge and attitude scores were categorised as good (≥70%) or poor (<70%). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics, chi- square tests, and logistic regression were used as appropriate.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 37.41 ± 10.10 years, and the majority (43.2%) were in the 30–39 years age group. Most respondents (51.9%) had tertiary education, and 84.4% belonged to the middle socioeconomic class. Overall, 70.8% of respondents had previously heard of HPV, with hospitals and health centres being the most common source of information (52.0%). Only 53.0% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HPV and its vaccine, while 81.0% had a positive attitude and 81.0% accepted or were willing to vaccinate their daughters. On multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of good knowledge were older age (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.010–1.051, p = 0.004) and higher educational attainment (p < 0.001). xvi Independent predictors of positive attitude were good knowledge (OR = 5.053, 95% CI: 2.807– 9.098, p < 0.001) and being ever-married (OR = 4.349, 95% CI: 1.368–13.824, p = 0.013). Positive attitude was the sole independent predictor of acceptance of HPV vaccination (OR = 5.003, 95% CI: 2.746–9.114, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite poor knowledge among the majority of respondents, attitudes towards and acceptance of HPV vaccination were high. Targeted health education programmes addressing the knowledge gap are essential to sustaining and translating positive attitudes into improved HPV vaccine uptake among eligible girls in Egor LGA and similar urban communities in Nigeria.
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