KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND UPTAKE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT PAMO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and uptake of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as well as factors affecting its uptake among female students of PAMO University of Medical Sciences.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design with multi-stage sampling technique was employed, semi-structured survey questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemography, knowledge, attitude and uptake of HPV vaccine.
Results: The study showed that 31.5% of the students have good knowledge, 32% have fair knowledge and 36.5% have poor knowledge of the HPV vaccine. 78.4% have good attitude. Uptake of the vaccine was poor as only 3.2% had taken the vaccine. The fear of side effects and availability of the vaccine were major factors affecting uptake.
Conclusion: The knowledge and uptake of HPV vaccine among female students of PAMO University of Medical Sciences were poor however, there was positive attitude. The main factors affecting uptake of the vaccine were fear of side effects and vaccine availability. There is an urgent need to improve HPV vaccine uptake and consequently we recommend that the university should make HPV vaccines available within the campus at a subsidized rate.
Keywords: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, Knowledge, Attitude, Uptake
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