Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

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Volume 2, Issue 4, December 2012, Pages 199 - 206

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccines: Knowledge, attitude and perception among female students at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Authors
Christian Chigozie Makwea, *, makwe285@yahoo.com ccmakwe@unilag.edu.ng, Rose Ihuoma Anorlua, Kofoworola Abimbola Odeyemib
aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 12003, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
bDepartment of Community Health and Primary Health Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 12003, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +234 8033358021.
Corresponding Author
Received 15 May 2012, Revised 23 August 2012, Accepted 6 November 2012, Available Online 8 December 2012.
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2012.11.001How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Female students; Human papillomavirus; HPV vaccine; Knowledge; Nigeria
Abstract

Aim: This study sought to determine knowledge of and attitude towards human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccines among female undergraduate students at the University of Lagos.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered between May and July 2010, to 368 female students aged 16–29 years, who were selected from two faculties of the University of Lagos using two-stage sampling method. Data collected included: socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, awareness and knowledge of HPV infection, cervical cancer and genital warts, and HPV vaccine; the perceived risk of acquiring genital HPV infection and developing cervical cancer or genital warts, and the willingness to receive an HPV vaccine.

Results: Only 64 (17.7%) and 52 (14.4%) of the students had ever heard of HPV infection and HPV vaccines respectively. The median HPV knowledge on a 15-item score was 2. Overall, only 11.1% knew that genital HPV infection can cause cervical cancer. Fourteen (6.9%) of those who were aware of cervical cancer agreed they were at risk of developing the disease. Of the 52 students who had heard of the HPV vaccine, 24 (46.2%) knew it was given for cervical cancer prevention and 30 (57.7%) expressed their willingness to receive the vaccine.

Conclusion: The knowledge of and the perceived susceptibility to HPV infection and HPV-related diseases among female students in the University of Lagos were generally low. The need for a well-designed HPV-educational program to bridge the knowledge gap cannot be overemphasized.

Copyright
© 2012 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
2 - 4
Pages
199 - 206
Publication Date
2012/12/08
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2012.11.001How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2012 Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - JOUR
AU  - Christian Chigozie Makwe
AU  - Rose Ihuoma Anorlu
AU  - Kofoworola Abimbola Odeyemi
PY  - 2012
DA  - 2012/12/08
TI  - Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccines: Knowledge, attitude and perception among female students at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 199
EP  - 206
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2012.11.001
DO  - 10.1016/j.jegh.2012.11.001
ID  - Makwe2012
ER  -