Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescents regarding human papillomavirus

Knowledge and acceptability of the human papillomavirus vaccine and associated factors among adolescent girls in public primary schools in Dessie Town, South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia, 2020: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge and acceptability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the associated factors among adolescent girls in public primary schools in Dessie Town, South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia in 2020.

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

This was an institutional cross-sectional study conducted from 1 November to 30 November 2020 among 844 adolescent girls. A systematic random sampling method was used to select participants, who completed a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EpiData V.4.6 and exported to SPSS V.25 for analysis. A binary logistic regression model identified the contributing factors to HPV vaccine knowledge and acceptance. Adjusted OR (AOR) and 95% CI computed at p<0.05 were used to assess significance levels.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes of interest were knowledge and acceptability of the HPV vaccine.

RESULTS

The HPV vaccine is known and acceptable to 47% and approximately 43% of the respondents, respectively. Age (AOR=3.51, 95% CI 1.62 to 7.6), father's educational level (AOR=2.62, 95% CI 1.57 to 4.38) and parent-child communication about sex and reproductive health (AOR=1.94, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.76) were associated with knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Acceptance of the HPV vaccine was significantly influenced by fathers' educational level (AOR=1.88, 95% CI:1.02 to 3.29), knowledge of Pap smear tests (AOR=2.54, 95% CI 1.79 to 3.62) and knowledge of the HPV vaccine (AOR=5.30, 95% CI 3.77 to 7.73).

CONCLUSION

In this study, there was generally good and high acceptance of the HPV vaccine, respectively, compared with a study conducted in Southwest Ethiopia. The study, however, had limitations in terms of recall bias, assessment of coverage/effectiveness over time and generalisability due to the institutional sample used.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Women of Reproductive Age on Human Papillomavirus Infection, Cervical Cancer and Vaccination in Otukpo, Nigeria

Background

Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of human papilloma virus (HPV) is a necessary measure in curtailing delayed diagnosis and poor control practices. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices vis-à-vis HPV infection, cervical cancer and vaccination among women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at 15 selected health-care facilities in Otukpo metropolis and it involved 168 pregnant women. The data were collected using structured questionnaire, and analysed for descriptive and analytical statistics using Epi Data Version 3.1 and SPSS statistical package Version 21.

Results

Most of the respondents (75.0%) have heard of human papilloma virus and their information source were mostly the health-care providers. In total, 132(78.6%) agreed to take the vaccine if offered for free but 152(90.5%) stated that it is imperative to seek the opinion of health providers before vaccine uptake. However, only 27(16.1%) have undergone recommended checkup for human papilloma virus/cervical cancer and 23(13.7%) have taken at least a vaccine dose. Some respondents 66(39.3%) had good knowledge while 95(56.6%) demonstrated positive attitude. However, most respondents 161(95.8%) demonstrated poor practices.

Conclusions

There is enormous need to improve HPV sensitization especially in women due to cervical cancer associated risks. Healthcare personnel are therefore encouraged to create more awareness on HPV infection and screening of cervical cancer (CC) via counseling sessions and communications tool like the new media. KAP approach is a critical tool towards successful CC screening and HPV control.

Construction and validity of educational technology about the human papillomavirus vaccine for adolescents

OBJECTIVES

to construct and validate an educational technology in comic book format about the human papillomavirus vaccine aimed at adolescents.

METHODS

a methodological study, with a quantitative approach, through the agreement method. It was carried out in two phases: educational technology construction and content validity. Participants are expert judges in the health field. Data collection took place in a virtual environment, through a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by calculating the Content Validity Index. A Content Validity Index of at least 80% was accepted.

RESULTS

the comic book's overall Content Validity Index was 82%, reaching the minimum limit established to be validated.

CONCLUSIONS

comics are fundamental in the teaching-learning process, aiming to catch adolescents' attention. Therefore, it is characterized as a valid tool to inform, in a playful manner, about the human papillomavirus vaccine.

Evaluation of the Knowledge and Attitude of Adolescents Regarding the HPV Infection, HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer in a Region from the Northwest of Romania

Purpose

In Romania, after reaching the age of 18, teenage girls can make an informed decision about vaccination. The aim of the study was to evaluate both knowledge and attitudes related to HPV infection, HPV vaccination, cervical cancer, as well as intentions, reservations, reasons that could influence the decision related to vaccination.

Patients and Methods

We applied an anonymized questionnaire to 690 teenage girls in the 18-19 age group, recruited from 15 high schools in Bihor County. Based on the answers to the question corresponding to item 14 of subscale 3, 2 groups were identified: the group with a hesitant behavior called the non-vaccine group (GNV) and the group with a positive behavior called the pro-vaccine group (GPV). The statistical analysis was processed by using IBM-SPSS 22.

Results

The analysis revealed significant differences between the groups in terms of the level of knowledge and attitudes related to vaccination, the adolescent girls in the GPV being more aware of the role and importance of HPV vaccination and more open to the idea of vaccination. For the GNV, the behavior can be explained by the fact that even if they have heard about the HPV infection being transmitted through unprotected sex and they think that vaccination in general is necessary to prevent certain diseases, they do not know if HPV vaccination would be effective in protecting them in the future. Adolescents from GPV declare they would accept HPV vaccination if it would be offered to them or they are already vaccinated.

Conclusion

Alongside interventions targeting parents and health-care professionals, it is necessary to improve the level of knowledge of adolescents about HPV infection, HPV vaccination and cervical cancer, by organizing information campaigns in schools, campaigns in which professionals in the field should be involved, but also by implementing education programs addressed to them.

Human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and conspiracy beliefs among secondary school students in Lebanon

BACKGROUND

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is widely prevalent across the globe. In Lebanon, the society is transitioning from traditional conservatism to a more open attitude. Although previous studies have examined the knowledge of adults in Lebanon with regard to HPV and its vaccine, there is a lack of research on secondary school students. Moreover, HPV is considered a worldwide public health matter that needs to be addressed. Therefore, the objective of our study is to assess factors associated with knowledge and conspiracy beliefs towards HPV vaccine among a sample of Lebanese adolescents.

METHODS

Between December 2022 and February 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study on Lebanese adolescents aged 15 to 18 years old. Parental approval was needed in order to participate. We used a questionnaire to collect data, which included the HPV-knowledge questionnaire (HPV-KQ) and the Vaccine Conspiracy Belief Scale (VCBS).

RESULTS

Of the 406 participants who filled the survey, 64.8% were female, with a mean age of 16.62 ± 1.01. Results showed that 31.0% of students had high knowledge about HPV, while 27.6% had high conspiracy beliefs, and 48% of participants relied on the internet to access information on HPV. Students who had previously heard of HPV, received sexual education at school or outside, and had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine demonstrated significantly higher knowledge of HPV. Additionally, students with high knowledge had a lower mean House Crowding Index, and those whose fathers had a university education had lower conspiracy beliefs. Females had a higher vaccination rate than males, while no significant difference was found between those who had engaged in sexual activity and those who had not. The multivariate analysis indicated that previous awareness of HPV and receiving sexual education outside school were significantly associated with higher knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Our study brings to light the urgent need for action to increase HPV awareness and vaccination among Lebanese secondary school students. The prevalence of vaccine misconceptions and conspiracy beliefs and the limited knowledge of HPV underscore the importance of more comprehensive sexual education in schools and the dissemination of accurate information about HPV and its vaccine. Furthermore, given the low vaccination rate among males, efforts should be made to promote HPV vaccination among this population. Addressing these issues can improve public health and help prevent the spread of HPV and its related diseases.

Vaccination against human papillomavirus in Brazilian schoolchildren: National Survey of School Health, 2019

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the prevalence of schoolchildren vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and the reasons related to non-vaccination.

METHOD

cross-sectional study, with data from the 2019 National Survey of School Health. The sample consisted of 160,721 students aged 13 to 17 years. The prevalence and confidence intervals (95%CI) of vaccinated adolescents were estimated according to location, sex, and administrative dependence of the school. The differences between the strata were evaluated with the Chi-square test. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95%CI were estimated with the Poisson regression model.

RESULTS

most of the students were vaccinated (62.9%), and the prevalence of girls (76.1%) was higher than that of boys (49.1%). The most prevalent reason for not vaccinating was "did not know they had to take" (46.8%), with the highest aPR in public schoolchildren in Brazil (1.6; 95%CI 1.5;1.7), from the Northeast region (1.2; 95%CI 1.1;1.2), and in students from private schools in the Northeast regions (1.1; 95%CI 1.1;1.2) and North (1.3; 95%CI 1.2;1.4).

CONCLUSION

one out of every two Brazilian schoolchildren was vaccinated against HPV. Misinformation was a recurring reason for non-vaccination. The North and Northeast regions had the highest prevalence of non-vaccinated people, observed mainly in adolescents from public schools.

HIGHLIGHTS

(1) 63% of Brazilian schoolchildren reported having been vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV).(2) In Brazil, in 2019, the prevalence of immunized girls was higher than that of boys.(3) Misinformation and fear are reasons for hesitating vaccination.(4) Social and health inequalities may reflect upon HPV vaccination.(5) Achieving the goal of 80% in HPV vaccination coverage is a challenge in Brazil.