Abstract:
Background: Worldwide, more than 70% of cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection
with human papillomavirus (HPV) which is vaccine-preventable. Based on the findings from
the previous studies the maximum uptake of HPV vaccination was 66.5% in Ethiopia. This
indicates that there is a gap in achieving the 90% global HPV vaccination target coverage.
Objective: To assess the uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination and its associated
factors among female adolescent students in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among female adolescent
students in Mettu town from February 05 to March 10, 2022. We used a simple random
sampling to select 681 study participants. We collected data on socio-demographics,
knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccination, attitude toward vaccination, uptake,
and other factors that may influence the uptake of HPV vaccination using a pre-tested and
structured questionnaire administered through a face-to-face interview. We entered the data
into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive analysis
was done using frequency, proportion, and summary statistics. Bivariate logistic regression
was done, and the variables with a p-value less than 0.25 were entered into a multivariable
logistic regression model. The findings from the model were presented using adjusted odds
ratios and 95% CI, and declared statistically significant at a p-value <0.05.
Results: A total of 667(97.9%) female adolescent students participated in the study. The
median age of the participants was 16 years, with a minimum and maximum age of 14 and 18
years. The uptake of the vaccination was 324(48.6%), 95%CI (45%-52%). Being in the 16 to
18-year age group (AOR=2.68,95%CI= 1.50-4.80), having good knowledge (AOR=2.14,
95%CI=1.29-3.52), positive attitude (AOR=5.86, 95%CI=3.51-9.76) and getting
encouragement from health care workers (AOR=3.04, 95%CI=1.36-6.79), teachers
(AOR=2.14, 95%CI=1.05-4.34) and their parents (AOR=2.39, 95%CI=1.02-5.64) were
statistically significantly associated with the uptake of the vaccination.
Conclusion: The uptake of the vaccination was low. Being in the 16 to 18-year age group,
having good knowledge, a positive attitude, and encouragement from parents, health care
workers, and teachers associated with the vaccination uptake. Improving students' knowledge
of cervical cancer, HPV infection, and its vaccination, as well as encouragement from
healthcare workers, teachers, and parents, is key to enhance the uptake of the vaccination
