Knowledge of and attitude toward human papillomavirus infection and vaccines among female nurses at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Figures & data

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics (n = 178)

Age distribution (years)	Respondents (n)	Respondents (%)
20–29	56	31.4
30–39	50	28.1
40–49	50	28.1
≥50	22	12.4
Marital status
Single	56	31.5
Married	116	65.2
Divorced/separated	3	1.7
Widowed	3	1.7
Religion
Christian	165	92.7
Muslim	13	7.3
Tribe
Yoruba	96	53.9
Ibo	42	23.6
Other	40	22.5
Position/Designation
CNO	25	14.0
Assistant CNO	15	8.4
Principal NO	33	18.5
Senior NO	14	7.9
NO	22	12.4
Staff nurse midwife	69	38.8

Abbreviations: CNO, chief nursing officer; NO, nursing officer; n, number.

Table 2 Awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and HPV vaccines, and acceptability of these vaccines (n = 178)

Question	Yes (n)	Yes (%)
Ever heard of cervical cancer?	177	99.4
Ever heard of HPV infection?	151	84.8
Ever heard of HPV vaccine?	45	25.3
Would you want to receive a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer?	125	70.2
Would you support vaccination of preadolescent girls?	120	67.4
Knowledge of cervical cancera	Correct response
	(n)	(%)
Cervical cancer is the commonest gynecological cancer in Nigeria	171	96.6
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection	124	70.1
Cervical cancer is preventable	164	92.7
How can cervical cancer be prevented?
Pap smear	129	72.9
Vaccination	23	13.0
Knowledge of HPV infectionb
HPV infection is associated with genital warts	117	77.5
How is HPV infection transmitted?
Sexual contact	135	89.4
Skin-to-skin contact	11	7.3
How can genital HPV infection be prevented?
Sexual abstinence	63	41.7
Condom use	50	33.1
Vaccination	48	31.8
Knowledge of HPV vaccinec
What is the HPV vaccine used for?
Prevention of HPV infection	30	66.7
Prevention of cervical cancer	12	26.7
Prevention of genital warts	5	11.1
Age group eligible for the HPV vaccine
9–26 years	11	24.4

a Notes: Only respondents who had heard of cervical cancer;

b only respondents who had heard of HPV infection;

c only respondents who had heard of HPV vaccine.

Abbreviation: n, number.

Table 3 Relationship between awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccines and acceptance of these vaccines

Awareness	Willingness to receive HPV vaccine
	Yes (n = 125)	No (n = 53)	χ^2-Test	P-value
Ever heard of HPV infection?
Yes	104	47	0.87	0.351
No	21	6
Ever heard of cervical cancer?
Yes	124	53	NA	1.000*
No	1	0
Ever heard of HPV vaccine?
Yes	32	13	0.02	0.880
No	93	40
	Intention to recommend HPV vaccine to preadolescent girls
	Yes (n = 120)	No (n = 58)	χ^2-Test	P-value
Ever heard of HPV infection?
Yes	104	47	0.96	0.326
No	16	11
Ever heard of cervical cancer?
Yes	119	58	NA	1.000*
No	1	0
Ever heard of HPV vaccine?
Yes	31	14	0.06	0.807
No	89	44
Willing to receive vaccine?
Yes	97	28	19.82	<0.001
No	23	30

* Note: Fisher’s exact test.

Abbreviations: NA, not available; n, number. questionnaire was used to collect data, it is possible that some respondents might have given incorrect information.