Assessment of human papillomavirus vaccination uptake and its associated factors among female adolescent students in Mettu town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022

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