Uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination and associated factors among high school female students in Dessie City Administration, North East Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV) is a widely acknowledged global measure aimed at preventing cervical cancer. However, the rate of vaccine adoption differs across various regions and countries due to a number of discouraging factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the uptake of HPV vaccination and associated factors among high school female students in Dessie City Administration, Northeast Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods: School-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 high school female students in Dessie City Administration from April 1, 2023, to May 1, 2023. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Data were entered using EPI data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Data were presented with frequency tables, graphs, and pie charts. To determine the factors associated with the outcome, a two-step logistic regression approach was employed. Initially, a bivariable analysis identified potential predictor variables with a p-value of less than 0.25, which were then included in a multivariable model. A p-value of less than 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence level were used to confirm associations. In addition, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the model's goodness of fit.

Results: The overall uptake of the HPV vaccine among female high school students in Dessie City was 54.9% with 95% CI (50.2, 59.8). In this study finding, fathers' educational level (AOR = 5.00, 95% CI: (1.59, 15.73)), source of information (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: (1.13, 3.83)), and having positive attitude toward HPV vaccination (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.87) were variables that showed a significant association with uptake of HPV vaccine.

Conclusion: In this study, nearly half a percent of female high school students did not uptake the HPV vaccine. Fathers' education level, source of information, and positive attitude were positively associated with the uptake of the HPV vaccine among female high school students. Therefore, schools should provide continuous school-based training about the HPV vaccine to foster attitudinal change among female high school students.