Abstract
There is no Government endorsed HPV vaccine immunisation program in Nigeria. The Vaccine has been available at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin City for more than 7 years. The aim was to evaluate awareness about HPV, the prevalence of HPV immunisation and its associated factors among the study population. A cross-sectional study using interviewer-administered questionnaires among 215 females attending secondary schools in Benin city, Nigeria. Participants were selected using multi-stage stratified sampling. The primary outcome measure was HPV immunisation of the girls. The majority of the participants were between 14 to 18 years (58.6%). Almost all the participants (>97%) had not heard of HPV, HPV Vaccines and Cervical cancer. In addition, 2 (0.9%) persons correctly identified that the virus can be transmitted sexually while only 1 person (0.5%) had received the HPV vaccine. The respondents all agreed that they needed to be enlightened about HPV, HPV vaccines and Cervical cancer. Majority (49.3%) of the girls suggested that this could be done through the mass media (49.3%) or their parents (32.1%). HPV immunisation, knowledge of HPV vaccines and Cervical cancer among the study population was very low. We recommend interventions in Schools to increase knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccines.
Highlights
Cervical cancer is the most common HPV- associated cancers[1,2]
It is expected that the data from this study will provide relevant evidence that will facilitate the incorporation of the HPV vaccine into the National immunisation program in Nigeria. This was a cross- sectional study using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique that was conducted among Secondary Schools in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria
The study was conducted from January to March 2016 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) which is located in Egor LGA
Summary
Cervical cancer is the most common HPV- associated cancers[1,2]. Worldwide, there are about 500,000 new cases and 273,000 deaths from Cervical cancer yearly[2]. Organised population based screening for premalignant disease of the cervix resulted in an 80% reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer in many developed countries where it was properly implemented[3]. This success could not be reproduced in many developing countries constrained by limited resources and other competing health needs. Many developing countries where majority of cervical cancer cases still occur have not yet commenced population based mass immunisation programs against HPV infections. Conclusion: HPV immunisation, knowledge of HPV vaccines and Cervical cancer among the study population was very low.
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