Uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine among school girls and its associated factors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent public high school girls aged 15-19 years and the factors associated with it in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 754 adolescent public high school girls aged 15-19 years in Addis Ababa. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used, and data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata version 14. We calculated the proportion (95% CI) to measure uptake. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake.

Results: HPV vaccine uptake was reported by 55.3% (95% CI: 51.7%, 58.8%) of school girls aged 15-19 years. Knowing the HPV vaccine [AOR=3.0, (95% CI:2.2, 4.2), p-value 0.001] and a positive attitude toward the HPV vaccine [AOR=3.3, (95% CI:1.6, 6.9), p-value 0.001] were significantly associated with HPV vaccine uptake.

Conclusions: Half of the school girls in the study area received the HPV vaccine. Interventions that enhance knowledge about the HPV vaccine and a positive attitude towards it can increase HPV vaccine uptake among schoolgirls.