Awareness and Acceptance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: A Study among Female Undergraduates and Antenatal Mothers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

George-Opuda I.M, Ojimah C, Eddeh-Adjugah O, Adegoke O.A

Abstract: There has been no reported study on the awareness and acceptability of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination among female University students and antenatal mothers in Port Harcourt. HPV has been implicated as the highest risk factor for cervical cancer. Reports have shown that the vaccine prevents a high percentage of cervical cancer. This study was carried out to assess the level of awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccine amongst female undergraduate students and Antenatal (ANC) mothers in Port Harcourt. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 participant; 436 female undergraduates and 364 ANC mothers. The Level of HPV awareness was poor, but the level of HPV vaccine acceptability was high. Enlightenment programs and public health promotion talk on HPV and HPV vaccination among female undergraduate students and ANC mothers should be encouraged.

Keywords: HPV, Female undergraduates, antenatal mothers