ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization (W.H.O) estimates that 70% of premature deaths and morbidities among adults are largely due to behaviors initiated during adolescence. Globally, adolescents represent a significant demographic and socio-economic force, and are also a major factor in influencing public health trends.Within the framework of the World Health Organization’s definition, an adolescent is any person between ages 10 and 19.The Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the commonest sexually transmitted viral infections of the reproductive tract of both male and female. Vaccination against HPV infection has been recognized as an effective primary intervention for reducing the burden of HPV related diseases.
AIM: To assess human papilloma virus vaccination among adolescents and parental acceptance of the vaccine at a tertiary health facility in Southern Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was utilized for the study. After calculating a sampling interval, aSystemic random sampling method was used in selecting adolescents; where each consenting adolescent was adopted into the study alongside Parent/Ward. Analysis of data collected was done using IBM SPSS 22.0 Software and summary done via descriptive statistics.
RESULT: From the study the mean age of respondents is 14.0±2.9years. 186 (61.6%) were females and 116 (38.4%) males. For parents, the mean age is 44.8±6.9 years. 164 (54.3%) were females and 134 (45.7%) males. The study revealed that there is poor knowledge of HPV among the adolescents compared to parents. Even though both parents and adolescents had a positive attitude about HPV vaccination, the uptake of HPV vaccine is poor due partly to the cost of the vaccine as well as misconceptions about the vaccine.
CONCLUSION
HPV vaccine uptake and Parental acceptance of HPV vaccine from the study is low. Even though HPV vaccination is a very useful preventive tool in HPV infections.
Key words: HPV vaccine, Adolescence and Parents
