MOTHERS WILLINGNESS TO VACCINATE THEIR IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS AGAINST HPV INFECTION IN LAGOS STATE NIGERIA

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake rates for adolescents are still low in Nigeria despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines. The knowledge and attitudes of mothers to HPV infection and vaccines play a role in adolescents HPV vaccination uptake. This study assessed mothers' willingness to vaccinate their in-school adolescents against HPV infection in Lagos State Nigeria.

A cross-sectional descriptive study involving mothers of in-school adolescents was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Chi square test was used to determine association between categorical variable and the level of significant was set at 5%.

The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 ± 5.8. Majority (92%) had poor knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination. However, majority (79%) of the respondents had a positive attitude to HPV vaccination. More than half (65.8%) of the respondents' were willing to vaccinate their adolescents against HPV. There were statistically significant associations between respondents' number of daughters and attitude about HPV vaccination (p=0.021), previous pap smear screening and willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV (p=0.012) and overall knowledge of HPV vaccination and willingness to vaccinate their children against HPV (p=0.041).

There is a need to increase public awareness and health education of mothers on HPV infection and cervical cancer in order to increase HPV vaccine uptake for their children. Health and education sectors can collaborate to achieve this using school-based HPV education programme.