KNOWLEDGE AND UPTAKE OF THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE

ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known cause of cervical cancer which is the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide. Vaccination against the oncogenic HPV types is a significant step towards decreasing the prevalence, morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer. The aims of this study was to assess the knowledge, the level of uptake and the factors that influence the uptake of the human papillomavirus vaccine among female undergraduates in University Of Benin. A descriptive survey of 418 students was conducted using a self constructed questions with a response rate of  99.0 % data was analyzed using frequencies percentages and chi square . The result of  shows that majority of the respondents (n= 363; 89%) have knowledge about the HPV vaccine and majority (94.1%; n=324)  stated that they have not gone for the vaccination. In conclusion, the uptake of the HPV vaccine among the female students was generally very low and only a small portion (4.7%) had good knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Not feeling at risk, lack of interest, religion, and unavailability of screening centers are the factors influencing the poor uptake of the HPV vaccine.