Awareness Of Human Papiloma Virus Vaccine Among Adolescent Girls At Junior Secondary Schools In Izzi, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a major public health concern, particularly due to its association with cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. This study examined the level of awareness of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls in Junior secondary schools in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The study involved adolescent students (9 – 19 years old) in Junior secondary schools in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was applied for the study with a sample size of 376 students. A stratified random sampling technique was applied to select the sample for the study. The data was analyzed using IBM statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 and MS Excel 2021. The findings reveal a significant lack of awareness, with 68.5% of students demonstrating poor awareness of HPV and its vaccine. Schools were identified as the primary source of HPV information (55.4%), while healthcare professionals played a minimal role (5%). Level of awareness was moderate (32.9%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that older students and those from rural areas had higher awareness of HPV. The study conclude that there is a significant gap in awareness of HPV among students, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. The study recommends integrating HPV-related information into school curricula, conducting a targeted outreach program, and utilizing social media, public health messaging, and collaboration with community leaders to increase awareness of HPV vaccination.