Intention, Perceptions, and Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Adolescent Girls in Irri Isoko South in Delta State, Nigeria

Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Globally, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the silent driver behind cervical cancer, silently threatening the health and future of adolescent girls and women around the world. Human Papillomavirus is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which remains a major public health problem among adolescent girls in Nigeria. Vaccination is the most effective preventive strategy, but uptake seems to remain low due to poor perception and intent. The study assessed the perception and intent of Human Papillomavirus vaccine uptake among adolescent girls in Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The population comprised all adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in Irri community, Isoko South LGA. A total of 550 adolescent girls were selected using a multistage sampling procedure, Data was collected using self -administered self-administered structured questionnaire titled: Intention, Perceptions, and Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Questionnaires (IPUHPVVQ). Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation with SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that with an aggregate mean value of 2.891±0.926, the adolescents accepted that they will take HPV vaccine in the community. The study also revealed aggregate mean of 3.03 and standard deviation of 0.863 suggest a consistent positive perception of willingness towards the uptake of Human Papillomavirus vaccine among participants. The study proves that adolescent girls in Irri have a positive intention and perception toward HPV vaccine uptake. Cost, dose schedule, and parental support were not major barriers, indicating readiness for HPV vaccination programmes. However, Delta State Ministry of Health should provide free HPV vaccination in schools, integrate HPV education into school health programmes, and train health workers to intensify community sensitization to sustain positive perception and improve uptake.