*[1]Akinola-Fowotade, O., [2]Oluwole, T. O., 3Omobowale, O., and 4Fowotade, A.
1Benjamin S. Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
3Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
4Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria *Correspondence to: onaopemipofowotade@gmail.com; +2348108671326
Abstract:
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Despite the availability of highly effective vaccines, awareness and uptake remain inadequate in many low- and- middle-income countries. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a crucial role in patient education, health promotion, and vaccine advocacy within their communities. Their knowledge, attitudes, and personal vaccination behaviors directly influence their ability to counsel patients and recommend HPV vaccination effectively. Understanding the knowledge levels, perceptions, and barriers to HPV vaccination among this population is essential for developing targeted educational interventions. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, perception, and uptake of HPV vaccination among female medical students in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 female medical students at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perceptions, uptake, and barriers related to HPV vaccination. Descriptive analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages. Association of HPV knowledge with practice of HPV prevention was determined using Chi square or Fischer’s Exact test, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant
Results: Majority of the participants (82.0%) were 18–23 years of age, and mostly (65.0%) of Yoruba tribe. Knowledge of HPV was categorized as adequate in 70.0% of the participants, with 87.0% having knowledge of HPV as being sexually transmitted, and 91.0% had knowledge of the link between HPV and cervical cancer. However, only 35.0% had received HPV vaccine. Knowledge of HPV was significantly associated with vaccine promotion, as 94.2% of participants with adequate knowledge would recommend vaccine to family and friends, compared to 70.0% of those with inadequate knowledge (p=0.0002). Knowledge was not significantly associated with HPV prevention practice (p=0.17). Major barriers to HPV vaccination highlighted by participants included lack of information, vaccine unavailability, and misconceptions such as infertility and depopulation conspiracies.
Conclusion: Although knowledge of HPV is high among the female medical students, vaccine uptake is low. Addressing misconceptions and barriers to HPV vaccination is vital to improving vaccine uptake.
Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, HPV vaccine, Medical student, Healthcare provider
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