KNOWLEDGE ON HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) AND THE UPTAKE OF HPV VACCINES AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS IN NKORANZA SOUTH MUNICIPAL OF GHANA

Abstract

Adequate knowledge on Human papilloma Virus (HPV), its vaccines and cervical cancer among adolescents can result in early detection, prevention, treatment, and management. Leading to the reduction in HVP infections and cervical cancer rate. Though there is empirical evidence on adolescents’ knowledge on HPV, its effect and the uptake of the vaccine as a preventive measure, not much have been cited within the study site. This study assessed the knowledge of the adolescent girls of ages 12-19 on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the uptake of HPV vaccine in Nkoranza South Municipal of Ghana. A cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was used for this study. The data was taken from a sample size of 341 using open and closed ended questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables at 95% confident level and P≤ 0.05 using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 24.0. The finding of the study revealed that 92% of the adolescents had poor knowledge about HPV infection. About 73% had never heard of HPV. The prevalence of HPV was 8.5% (at 95% CI: 5.2% to 11.8%). Only 17.2% of the respondents know of a vaccine that can prevent HPV infection of which less than 3% (at 95% CI: 0.9% to 4.1%) have been vaccinated. The factors that affected the vaccine uptake were parental consent (72.2%), accessibility of vaccines (25.4%), and lack of information (86%). However, the uptake of HPV vaccines did not show any statistically significant association with age, type of residence and sexual intercourse of respondents (P> 0.05). The study recommends enhanced education on reproductive health with collaboration between Ghana Health Services and the Ghana Education Services. Also, the Government of Ghana in conjunction with Ministry of Education should endeavor to breach the rural-urban gap in educational and social infrastructure including technology to enhance teaching and learning of the young ones especially on reproductive health