Assessment of Knowledge and Willingness to Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Parents of Adolescent Boys and Girls in Maiduguri, Borno State.

ABSTRACT According to WHO, genital Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is the commonest sexually transmitted infection (STIs) worldwide About 50-80 per cent of sexually active women are exposed to the virus at some point in their lives. The prevalence of HPV infection globally is 11.7 per cent in women and 21 per cent in men which rises and peaks in adolescents of both sexes. Hence the need to inform parents about the different types of HPV vaccines and its importance in preventing HPV infections and the problems that come with it. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out using Multi-stage sampling method. Four hundred Semi-structured questionnaires were administered. The data obtained was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. The result showed 352 (88%) of the respondent had poor knowledge on HPV infection and vaccine. Regarding methods of preventing HPV infection, most of the respondents mentioned vaccination 38 (65.5%) and abstinence 41 (70.7%) as means of preventing HPV infection. The willingness to pay, uptake and perception of HPV vaccine were statistically significant with education status P(0.007), P(0.000), and P(0.002) respectively. Those who have knowledge of HPV infection (74 respondents) got this information from health care workers 31 (41.9%). HPV vaccination is yet to be implemented and made readily available in the areas visited as they are yet to be vaccinated. The Government through Ministry of Health should further implement health education in all government and private hospital including community on educating and counselling the outpatient, inpatient and people of the community on HPV infection and its effects. HPV vaccination should also be implemented as it is yet to, even though it has recently been incorporated in the National program on immunization (NPI) this will make it readily available.