KNOWLEDGE OF CERVICAL CANCER AND WILLINGNESS TO UPTAKE HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS VACCINE AMONG FEMALE ARTISANS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the most common genital cancer and one of the leading causes of death among female population. In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer which affects 28.5/100,000 women. Despite the availability of prophylactic vaccine that protects against four major types of HPV in Nigeria since the year 2006, there is still a low uptake of the vaccines by young adults in the nation. This study investigated the knowledge of cervical cancer among female artisans as well as to assess their willingness to uptake the vaccine. The study was a cross-sectional design with a four-stage sampling technique. Three out of twelve wards were randomly selected within the Ibadan North local government. A convenience sample of 6 major artisan associations were identified for the research and this was across the 6 wards. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from 382 respondents on demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and willingness to uptake HPV vaccine. The knowledge was measured on 18-point scale. Scores ≤6 were considered poor; >6-12 fair while scores >12 were considered good. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at p=0.05 level of significance. Age of the respondents was 19.8±2.5 while more than half of the respondents are single. Most of the respondents (66.5%) have also completed their secondary school education. A total of 26.2% of respondents have had sex with the least age of sexual debut being 12 years of age. The overall level of knowledge of respondents on cervical cancer was deduced to be poor with a mean score of 5.3±2.4. Respondents had poor perception of cervical cancer and HPV vaccine with mean score of 5.5±1.9. Only 46 (12.0%) claimed they had ever taken HPV vaccine with about 87.0% not knowing the brand they took. The highest rated reason for taking the vaccine was parental advice (58.7%) followed by early sexual exposure before 18 (21.7%). Lack of awareness (89.3%) was rated has the highest reason for non-uptake of HPV vaccine among the respondents. About two-third (61.8%) of the respondents were willing to take up the HPV vaccine and most preferred to be vaccinated at the health centre 170 (72.0%). The respondents (61.3%) identified the high cost of vaccine as a limiting factor in up taking the vaccine while 70.5% agreed to uptake the vaccine if it’s free. The knowledge of respondents was significantly associated with willingness to uptake the HPV vaccine. Also, the level of education of respondent and respondent’s mother is significantly associated with willingness to uptake the vaccine. Knowledge of cervical cancer was low while the willingness to uptake Human Papilloma Virus vaccine was high among female artisans in Ibadan North Local Government area of Oyo state. Hence, there is a need for health education of this target audience through peer education and also provision of free Human Papilloma Virus vaccine.