Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Human Papillomavirus is responsible for about 5% of the global cancer burden. In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. The Federal Government of Nigeria and partners recently introduced Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination into routine immunization beginning with 15 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This study assesses HPV vaccine knowledge, attitude and program satisfaction among parents and caregivers of vaccine recipients in Ogun State, Nigeria. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with sample size of 1012 respondents, carried out during the 5-day HPV immunization campaign in all 20 Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Univariate analysis was done using frequency tables and bivariate analysis using Chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was carried out to identify the determinants of knowledge of HPV, knowledge of cervical cancer and programme satisfaction. RESULTS: All the respondents had heard of HPV vaccine and 67.5% had heard of cervical cancer. Eighty-two percent of the respondents heard of HPV vaccine for the first-time during the introduction programme. Eighty-two percent of respondents had good knowledge of HPV vaccine and 47.7% had good knowledge of cervical cancer. Forty-four percent of respondents heard about HPV vaccine via town/market announcers, 36.2% via radio, and 28.6% via social media. Common reasons respondents vaccinated their wards include, because there was a campaign (51.8%), to prevent cervical cancer (48.9%), and because it is free (38.3%). Twenty-nine percent were very satisfied with the HPV vaccination program and 63.2% were satisfied. All the respondents had positive attitude towards HPV vaccination, although 94.1% had heard messages discouraging people from vaccinating their wards. Respondents living in rural communities had higher odds of having good knowledge of HPV vaccine (aOR 2.232, 95% CI 1.527-3.263, p-value ≤ 0.001). Fathers with tertiary education were more likely to be satisfied with the programme (aOR 5.715, 95% CI 1.142-28.589, p-value = 0.034), CONCLUSION: Knowledge of HPV vaccination was high and was informed by the HPV vaccination introduction programme. Use of outreaches, awareness drives, and provision of free vaccines should be intensified to further promote HPV vaccine uptake in Nigeria.