Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination and Adolescent Girls' Knowledge and Sexuality in Western Uganda: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Andrew Kampikaho Turiho,Wilson Winston Muhwezi,Cecil Banura,Anne Ruhweza Katahoire,Elialilia Sarikiaeli Okello,Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye,Marcia Edilaine Lopes Consolaro

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137094

Andrew Kampikaho Turiho, Wilson Winston Muhwezi + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137094

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Makerere University

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on adolescent girls’ knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine, perception of sexual risk and intentions for sexual debut. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Ibanda and Mbarara districts. Data was collected using a standardized self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences computer software. Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were conducted with significance level set at p < .05. Results showed that HPV vaccination was associated with being knowledgeable (Crude OR: 5.26, CI: 2.32–11.93; p = 0.000). Vaccination against HPV did not predict perception of sexual risk. Knowledge was low (only 87/385 or 22.6% of vaccinated girls were knowledgeable), but predicted perception of a high sexual risk (Adjusted OR: 3.12, CI: 1.37–3.63; p = 0.008). HPV vaccination, knowledge and perceived sexual risk did not predict sexual behaviour intentions. High parental communication was associated with adolescent attitudes that support postponement of sexual debut in both bivariate and multiple regression analyses. In conclusion, findings of this study suggest that HPV vaccination is not likely to encourage adolescent sexual activity. Influence of knowledge on sexual behaviour intentions was not definitively explained. Prospective cohort studies were proposed to address the emerging questions.

Highlights

About 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer and about 274,000 deaths due to the disease occur annually
Girls vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) were drawn from Ibanda district while unvaccinated participants for comparison were selected from Mbarara district
We evaluated relationships between independent variables (HPV vaccination status, socio-demographic characteristics, parental communication, and peer norms about sexual debut) and dependent variables

Summary

Introduction

About 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer and about 274,000 deaths due to the disease occur annually. More than 80% of these deaths occur in developing countries, where cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among adult women. HPV vaccination status Vaccinated Unvaccinated Age Younger adolescent (9–14 years) Older adolescent (15–19 years) Kind of school Exclusively day school Both day and boarding school Location of school Rural Urban Parental communication High parental communication Low parental communication Peer norms about delayed sexual debut Norms support delayed sexual debut Norms do not support delayed sexual debut. HPV vaccination status Vaccinated Unvaccinated Age Younger adolescent (9–14 years) Older adolescent (15–19 years) Kind of school Exclusively day school Both day and boarding school Location of school Rural Urban Parental communication High parental communication Low parental communication Knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV vaccine Knowledgeable Not knowledgeable.

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