Publication:

Uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine among private and public female secondary school students in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background Despite its availability, awareness and uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine have remained poor globally, especially in low and middle-income countries. The aim was to determine and compare the knowledge, attitude and uptake of HPV vaccine among private and public female secondary school students in Asaba, Delta State.

Methods A comparative cross-sectional study of girls aged 10 and 18 years in public and private secondary schools in Asaba, Delta State. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were distributed to 200 eligible students after obtaining their assent and consent from their parents. The collected data were coded and analysed using SPSS version 26, and p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results Only 24% (14% in private and 10% in public secondary schools), 14% (5% in private, 9% in public secondary schools) and 16% (6% in private, 10% in public secondary schools) of the respondents have heard of cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between school type and knowledge level (p=0.048). None of the respondents had received the HPV vaccine, with a lack of awareness being the reason for non-uptake in the majority of the respondents.

Conclusions This study demonstrated poor knowledge of HPV/cervical cancer and a poor uptake of the HPV vaccine among respondents. Health education programs geared toward creating awareness among secondary school students and their parents in Delta State and other Nigerian states are highly recommended. Also, the government should make frantic efforts to sustain the HPV vaccine in the National Immunisation schedule.