Practice and Associated Factors of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Primary School Students in Minjar-Shenkora District, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2020

Abstract

Background

Human papillomavirus infection, a causative factor for cervical cancer, remains a topic of great interest. About 80% of sexually active women are at risk of acquiring HPV infection while having a 70% global target to eliminate intensive cervical cancer.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the practice of human papillomavirus vaccination and associated factors among primary school female students in Minjar-Shenkora district, 2020.

Methods

A school-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to 30 2020, in primary school female students of Minjar-Shenkora district, North Shoa zone, Ethiopia. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Associations between dependent and independent variables tested in binary and multiple logistic regression and variables with p-value ≤0.25 were entered into multiple logistic regression with considered significant level of P-value ≤0.05 and at 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 591 students participated in the study with a response rate of 96.3%. Of the total, 393 (66.5%) (CI 0.63–0.7) participants have been vaccinated for HPV. The factors associated with the practice of vaccination were; being knowledgeable about HPV vaccination (AOR, 8.65, CI=5.2–14.3) and a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination (AOR, 1.85, CI=1.18–3). Students in rural areas were 88% less likely to practice HPV vaccine than students in urban areas (AOR, 0.12, CI=0.07 0.21).

Conclusion and Recommendation

Overall, HPV vaccination practice was relatively good (66.5%). Knowledge on HPV vaccination, positive attitude towards HPV vaccination, and being a rural residence were associated with HPV vaccination practice. Families, health-care workers, and schools should work together to improve the knowledge and attitude of the community towards HPV vaccination.

Keywords:

• human papillomavirus vaccine
• knowledge
• attitude
• practice

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan Health Science College, and Minjar-shenkora district Health Bureau for providing sponsorship. All study participants and school staff are thanked for their cooperation during sample collection.

Data Sharing Statement

The data can be accessed on request to the authors.

Ethical Approval and Consent of the Participant

We declare that the research is governed by the Declaration of Helsinki.

Ethical clearance was obtained from Debre Berhan University, Health Science College research committee. And a supportive letter was obtained from Minjar-Shenkora district education office to all selected schools. Each study participant was adequately informed about the purpose, method, and anticipated benefits and risks of the study by their data collector. Respondents had the right to respond or refuse the interview. Written consent was received from the study participant’s principal family member. All information given by the respondents was used for research purposes only and confidentiality and privacy were kept by omitting the name of the respondents during the data collection procedure.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting and revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.