Awareness, Knowledge and Acceptability of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer remains a major cause of mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa despite being a preventable disease. Human papilloma Virus vaccine is an effective primary preventive strategy for cervical cancer prevention. Nigeria has rolled out HPV vaccine at grassroot level. Thus, there is need to assess the level of awareness and acceptance of the vaccine. Objectives: The study assessed awareness and acceptability of Human Papilloma Virus vaccination among women attending antenatal clinics in Zaria. Factors that influence such were explored. Materials and Methods: It was cross sectional descriptive study. Sample size was 435. It was conducted between December 2022 and July 2023 among women attending antenatal care Primary, Secondary and Tertiary health care facilities in Zaria Metropolis. Data was obtained using both quantitative and qualitative approach. Results: The mean age of respondents was 27.9 (± 6.1) years, 48% engaged in trade with only 2.5% working in health and allied profession. Only 67 (15.4%;) were aware of HPV vaccine; of which, only 3 (4.5 %) respondents had good knowledge. More were willing to vaccinate their female than their male children (86.6% versus 71.6%), however the difference was not statistically significant.  Women with higher educational level were more willing to pay or travel to vaccinate their children (p =0.003 and 0.05 respectively). Lack of adequate information about the vaccine and safety concerns were major barriers to acceptability. Conclusion: Awareness of HPV vaccine is low, and knowledge is poor among the respondents. Acceptance was high among respondents that were aware of the vaccine.