Knowledge and Perception of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is preventable though human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination but yet the leading cause of death among women in developing countries including Nigeria. It is important to understand the level of awareness about HPV vaccine in developing the strategies for an effective intervention. Aim: The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge and perception of HPV vaccine among women attending antenatal clinic in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic sampling technique. A pretested, semistructured and interviewer administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and perception of HPV vaccine. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and χ2 statistics was used to test for association between variables at level of significance of 5%. Results: A total of 104 women were interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 29.8±7.8 years. About 77.9% were married and 55.8% of the respondents had tertiary education. However, 41.0% had good knowledge of HPV infection, 30.7% had good knowledge cervical cancer and 39.4% had good knowledge of HPV vaccine. About 45.9% of the respondents had good perception of HPV vaccination as a preventive method for cervical cancer. Age, level of education, household size and level of income were significant factors that determined the level of knowledge of the respondents about HPV vaccine whereas age, occupation, settlement area and household size were the significant factors that determined the level of perception of the respondents about HPV vaccine. Conclusion: There is a very low level of knowledge and poor perception about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among this sample of women. Effective information, education and communication strategies are required to improve the level of knowledge and perception of these women with different educational levels and settlement areas about HPV vaccine.